Facts About the Flu

Many people use the term "flu" to refer to everything from a stomach virus to a bad cold, but true flu (or influenza) is in a league of its own, annually taking the lives of tens of thousands of primarily old and young people (or those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions), and hospitalizing considerably more. Old and young people are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot.

What is Influenza (Flu)?

Seasonal influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs that usually occurs in the autumn and winter months. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. It spreads easily and can sweep through schools, nursing homes or businesses and towns. When an infected person coughs, infected droplets get into the air and another person can breath them in and be exposed. The virus can also be spread by hands infected with the virus. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. But influenza can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk. The time from infection to illness, known as the incubation period, is about two days. Worldwide, these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths.

Who is at risk for flu?

Yearly influenza epidemics can seriously affect all age groups, but the highest risk of complications occur among:

• Children younger than age two;
• Adults over age 65;
• People with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system;
• Women who are more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season.

What are the symptoms of the Flu?

The most defining characteristic of influenza is that symptom onset is sudden. Symptoms associated with Influenza may include:

• Fever/chills
• Cough
• Headaches
• Fatigue/weakness
• Muscle aches and pains
• Congestion that turns to a runny nose
• Sore throat
• Exhaustion and weakness.

How to treat it?

To overcome and treat the flu, here are natural flu remedies for your fast recovery:

• Fluids, fluids, fluids: Fluid intake is perhaps the most important factor for healthy people fighting the flu. Flu sufferers lose more fluids from fever than they think; you must replenish your lost fluids in order to provide your body with the strength to get rid of the flu. Drink plenty of water. Orange juice is good for its vitamin C content too, and sports drinks like Gatorade help replenish electrolytes.

• Sleep: Your body is probably telling you to sleep anyway - listen to it! Lack of proper sleep might have been what got you into this situation in the first place, and lack of sleep certainly won't help you get out of it.

• Food: Even though you don't feel like eating, nutrition is an important part of recovery. Don't let the flu prevent you from gaining the fuel you need to keep your body strong. Eat the largest possible portion of that chicken soup. Chicken soup, as it happens, also helps keep your fluids up.

• Minimal exertion: Even if you don't feel like sleeping, it's far better to stay in bed and recuperate through relaxation than it is to try to attend that weekly meeting at the office (no one wants to catch the flu from you either).

• Curb Normal Habits: The flu demands a lot from the immune system as it attempts to fight the virus. Habits such as smoking and drinking do little more than add toxins into the body that is already overtaxed. It is important to cut out alcohol altogether as it can have an adverse effect when mixed with the drugs that are taken to treat the flu.

How can you prevent flu?

You can prevent flu by:

• Avoid people who are sick - keep a distance from them.
• Stay home if you are sick. Don't spread germs.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands frequently and wash them well.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often carried on your hands.
• Get a flu shot.

The influenza virus is very adaptable and is constantly changing. Different strains of the virus may exchange their genes or simply mutate leading to the birth of new influenza strains. The influenza vaccine available to us every fall is a result of scientific predications as to which influenza strain will predominate in the up-coming season. Since no prediction is ever exact, the available vaccine may not necessarily be 100% effective if the prediction for the season turns out inaccurate. In addition, since the virus has the ability to change rapidly from season to season, the flu vaccine that will be available to us this year probably would not be effective in the next flu season. Thus we should get vaccinated against the influenza every autumn.