Influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.
The most common symptoms include: a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. The cough; however, may last for more than two weeks.
Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C, with influenza A types usually causing the most problems in humans.
- Influenza A viruses are capable of infecting animals, although it is more common for people to suffer the ailments associated with this type of flu. Type A flu virus is constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics. The influenza A2 virus (and other variants of influenza) is spread by people who are already infected. The most common flu hot spots are those surfaces that an infected person has touched and rooms where he has been recently, especially areas where he has been sneezing.
- Type B influenza is found only in humans. Type B flu may cause a less severe reaction than type A flu virus, but occasionally, type B flu can still be extremely harmful.
- Influenza C viruses are also found in people. They are, however, milder than either type A or B. People generally do not become very ill from the influenza type C viruses. Type C flu viruses do not cause epidemics.
- A new flu virus termed H1N1 (Swine flu) developed in Mexico, rapidly spread worldwide and is a major cause of concern even today.
Treatments for influenza
Include a range of medications and therapies that are used in response to disease influenza. Treatments may either directly target the influenza virus itself; or instead they may just offer relief to symptoms of the disease, while the body's own immune system works to recover from infection.
Symptomatic treatment
- Stay at home
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink a lot of liquids
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol
- Consider over-the-counter medications to relieve flu symptoms
- Consult a physician early on for best possible treatment
- Remain alert for emergency warning signs.
Antiviral drugs
- M2-inhibitors- Influenza A
- neuraminidase inhibitors - Influenza A & B
Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines
- vitamin supplements
- green tea
- Elderberry
Annual influenza vaccination would help.
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