wellnesscenterusa.comPosted on 3/3/2008 by Karilee Bingham, R.N., B.S.
Anyone else confused by the "Influenza A or B" thing? Since we are now full-throttle into flu season, let's do a little review. There are three main types of influenza:
Influenza is a disease that is caused by one of the influenza viruses. It affects the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). Influenza is not a cold or stomach flu. It usually comes on suddenly, and can be life-threatening, particularly to the very young and older adult populations. In the United States every year 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu.
You can have some or all of the following symptoms:
Influenza is spread when a person who has the virus coughs, sneezes, or even just speaks and sends influenza virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the respiratory tract of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza. It can also be spread if the virus lands on a surface (phone, door handle) and that person touches it and then touches their mouth or nose.
GET YOUR FLU SHOT! The CDC recommends that Children aged 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) and those people who care for these populations get their flu shot annually. You should also wash your hands frequently and avoid being around people who are sick.
The chances of any serious complications from the flu are unlikely as long as you are not in the high risk groups listed above. You should stay home and get rest. This helps to prevent you spreading to virus to others, and allows you body to heal. Drink lots of fluids, and avoid alcohol or tobacco products. You can take medications to help relieve the symptoms of the flu.
If you see your health care provider within 48 hours of the start of your symptoms, then there are other medication that may be prescribed to you to help minimize the symptoms and length of your flu. Keep in mind that your strain of influenza may be resistant to these meds.