how is it transmitted? is there a high fatality rate? Can it be treated or cured?

I thouht it was a cold…???

WHAT IS INFLUENZA (FLU) AND HOW IS IT CAUSED?

Influenza is a contagious disease caused by a virus. A virus is a germ that is very small. Influenza viruses infect many parts of the body, including the lungs.

When someone who has influenza sneezes, coughs, or even talks, the influenza virus is expelled into the air and may be inhaled by anyone close by.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET INFLUENZA?

When influenza strikes the lungs, the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. The tissues become swollen and inflamed. Fortunately, the damage is rarely permanent. The tissues usually heal within a few weeks.

Influenza is often called a respiratory disease, but it affects the whole body. The victim usually becomes acutely ill with fever, chills, weakness, loss of appetite and aching of the head, back, arms and legs. The influenza sufferer may also have a sore throat and a dry cough, nausea, and burning eyes.

The fever mounts quickly; temperature may rise to 104 degrees F but after two or three days, it usually subsides. The patient is often left exhausted for days afterwards.

IS INFLUENZA CONSIDERED SERIOUS?

For healthy children and adults, influenza is typically a moderately severe illness. Most people are back on their feet within a week.

For people who are not healthy or well to begin with, influenza can be very severe and even fatal. The symptoms described above have a greater impact on these persons. In addition, complications can occur.

Most of these complications are bacterial infections because the body can be so weakened by influenza that its defenses against bacteria are low. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common serious complication of influenza. In addition the sinuses and inner ears may become inflamed and painful.

WHO GETS INFLUENZA?

Anyone can get influenza, especially when it is widespread in the community. In 1996 alone, over 95 million cases of the flu were reported. People who are not healthy or well to begin with are particularly susceptible to the complications that can follow. these people are known as "high risk" and should be immunized.

For anyone at high risk, influenza is a very serious illness. you may be at high risk if you:

Have chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, or cystic fibrosis.

Have heart disease.

Have chronic kidney disease.

Have diabetes or another chronic metabolic disorder.

Have severe anemia.

Have diseases or are having treatments that depress immunity.

Are residing in a nursing home or other chronic care facility.

Are over 50 years of age.

A doctor, nurse, or other provider of care to high-risk persons should be immunized to protect high-risk patients.

Many experts now recommend that any person who wishes to avoid the flu should be vaccinated. This includes those suffering from asthma. A recent American Lung Association;reg study found that the flu vaccine is safe for, and well tolerated in, people with asthma. Another recent study suggested that the vaccine may be important for infants.

HOW ARE INFLUENZA AND COMPLICATIONS PREVENTED?

Influenza can be prevented with a high degree of success when a person receives the current influenza vaccine or influenza shot. This vaccine is made each year so that the vaccine can contain influenza viruses that are expected to cause illness that year.

The viruses in the vaccine are inactivated so that someone vaccinated cannot get influenza from the vaccine. instead the person vaccinated develops protection in his or her body in the form of substances called antibodies.

The amount of antibodies in the body is greatest 1 or 2 months after vaccination and then gradually declines. For that reason and because the influenza viruses usually change each year, people should be vaccinated each fall with the new vaccine.

October 15th to November 15th is the best time to get your influenza shot. such a yearly vaccination has been found to be about 75 percent effective in preventing influenza. It may also reduce the severity of influenza and can be lifesaving. However, it's OK to get the shot earlier. Since the vaccine takes about 2 weeks to begin its effect. A later vaccination can also provide substantial protection. until the flu season is over, it's never "too late" to get a flu shot.

The influenza shot is covered by Medicare and some other health plans.

At the first sign of influenza symptoms see your doctor. Some doctors use a new rapid point of care test given in a doctors office which can diagnose all strains of influenza A and B. Many physicians now use antiviral medications when they are confident of the diagnosis.

Two antiviral drugs called amantadine and rimantadine can be used to help prevent and treat influenza A. Newer antiviral drugs, Zanamivir and Oseltamivir, are active against both A & B types.

WHAT ABOUT REACTIONS TO THE VACCINE?

Most people have little or no reaction to the vaccine. One in four might have a swollen, red, tender area where the vaccination was given.

A much smaller number, probably more children than adults, might also develop a slight fever within 24 hours. they may have chills or a headache, or feel a little sick. People who already have a respiratory disease may find their symptoms worsened. Usually none of these reactions lasts for more than a few days.

In addition, adverse reactions to the vaccine, perhaps allergic in nature, have been observed insome people. these could be due to an egg protein allergy because the egg in which the virus is grown cannot be completely extracted. these people should be vaccinated only if their doctorbelieves it necessary and if the vaccine is given under close observation by a doctor.

WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED?

People at high risk should be vaccinated yearly against influenza. In addition, those who provide care to high-risk patients should be vaccinated.

If you are not in a high-risk group, you may want to be vaccinated to avoid the flu and its complications.

CAN YOU HAVE A RECURRENCE OF INFLUENZA?

A person can have influenza more than once. Here's why: The virus that causes influenza may belong to one of three different influenza virus families, A, B or C. Influenza A and influenza B are the major families.

Within each influenza virus family are many viral strains, like so many brothers and sisters. Both A and B have strains that cause illnesses of varying severity. But the influenza A family has more virulent strains than the B family.

If you have influenza, your body responds by developing antibodies. The following year, a new family member or a member of another family may appear. your antibodies are less effective or ineffective against this unfamiliar strain. If you are exposed to it, you may come down with influenza again.

HOW ARE INFLUENZA AND COMPLICATIONS TREATED?

For uncomplicated influenza, your doctor will probably tell you to stay in bed at home as long as the sickness is severe, and perhaps for about two days after the fever is gone. Common medications, such as acetaminophen, are used to treat fever and aches and pains.

Two antiviral drugs called amantadine and rimantadine have to be used for treating someone who develops influenza A, particularly if given as soon as possible after the onset of influenza. these drugs also can be used as a preventive measure, but for prevention it must be taken daily as long as influenza cases continue to occur in a community.

Your doctor would have to decide whether to use an antiviral drug either for prevention or treatment. If it is used for treating an early case of influenza, it may shorten this illness and reduce the severity. Antiviral drugs work only against influenza A viruses and should be used only if influenza A is suspected.