Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza A, B, and Care the three types of viruses that cause this epidemic disease. Type A influenza is considered to be the most dangerous as it can cause large epidemic. The virus infects lungs and upper respiratory system, causing fever, body aches, and pain. The onset of flu also causes loss in appetite, nausea, and dry cough. These symptoms may last for a week, and you may need to stay in bed until they are gone.
Influenza is a very common illness that affects many people every year, usually during winter months. As an infected person coughs or sneezes, the flu virus gets transmitted through small droplets of saliva. When a healthy person gets infected by flu virus, he or she starts to show symptoms within one to four days. Flu can also spread through touching common surfaces such as door handles and other items that have been handled by an infected person.
Influenza virus
Type A influenza virus mostly affects animals and birds. They can also cause damage to human population. Type B and C influenza viruses are not dangerous and show only mild symptoms in human beings. Influenza type A and B viruses include strains, and these strains are different from the original virus, but retain some of its characteristics. Flu caused by one strain does not give full immunity to other strains, as the virus is constantly changing through a process called antigenic drift. This is the reason a different vaccine is needed every year to help prevent flu.
Influenza symptoms
Apart from fever, body aches, and pain, the other symptoms of flu are headaches, tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, weakness, and diarrhoea. Although flu lasts for a week or less, the main course of symptoms may get over in three days. But after that cough or sever weakness may continue for a few more days. Infected people can spread the flu virus even a day before the symptoms start, and they remain infectious for five to six days. People with weak immune systems such as aged people and children, may carry infection for slightly longer periods of time. Current subtypes of influenza Type A viruses are H1N1 and H3N2. Swine flu is an infection caused by H1N1 virus. In 2009, it was first detected in pigs. Recently, H1N1 vaccine has been developed to protect from swine flu infection.
Tamiflu - Influenza Treatment
It is important to treat flu, as it can lead to pneumonia or other complications especially in old age people, infants and people with long-term health issues. Tamiflu is one of the most effective medications for treating influenza. It slows down the spread of flu virus. Oseltamivir, the active ingredient in Tamiflu, works by detaching the flu virus from its host cell. It attacks the virus at its roots and prevents it from multiplying in the body. It also helps antibodies in the body to kill flu viruses in the body.
One of the most important things about oseltamivir is that it doesn't have any serious reactions with other medications. Under medical supervision, Tamiflu can be taken along with other medications for treating other health conditions. It should be taken within 48 hours of the symptoms appearing. You should take dosage of Tamiflu as per the doctor's recommendation. If you miss one dose, you should not take double dose of Tamiflu. Taking Tamiflu exactly as directed can be an effective influenza treatment.
Influenza is a very common illness that affects many people every year, usually during winter months. As an infected person coughs or sneezes, the flu virus gets transmitted through small droplets of saliva. When a healthy person gets infected by flu virus, he or she starts to show symptoms within one to four days. Flu can also spread through touching common surfaces such as door handles and other items that have been handled by an infected person.
Influenza virus
Type A influenza virus mostly affects animals and birds. They can also cause damage to human population. Type B and C influenza viruses are not dangerous and show only mild symptoms in human beings. Influenza type A and B viruses include strains, and these strains are different from the original virus, but retain some of its characteristics. Flu caused by one strain does not give full immunity to other strains, as the virus is constantly changing through a process called antigenic drift. This is the reason a different vaccine is needed every year to help prevent flu.
Influenza symptoms
Apart from fever, body aches, and pain, the other symptoms of flu are headaches, tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, weakness, and diarrhoea. Although flu lasts for a week or less, the main course of symptoms may get over in three days. But after that cough or sever weakness may continue for a few more days. Infected people can spread the flu virus even a day before the symptoms start, and they remain infectious for five to six days. People with weak immune systems such as aged people and children, may carry infection for slightly longer periods of time. Current subtypes of influenza Type A viruses are H1N1 and H3N2. Swine flu is an infection caused by H1N1 virus. In 2009, it was first detected in pigs. Recently, H1N1 vaccine has been developed to protect from swine flu infection.
Tamiflu - Influenza Treatment
It is important to treat flu, as it can lead to pneumonia or other complications especially in old age people, infants and people with long-term health issues. Tamiflu is one of the most effective medications for treating influenza. It slows down the spread of flu virus. Oseltamivir, the active ingredient in Tamiflu, works by detaching the flu virus from its host cell. It attacks the virus at its roots and prevents it from multiplying in the body. It also helps antibodies in the body to kill flu viruses in the body.
One of the most important things about oseltamivir is that it doesn't have any serious reactions with other medications. Under medical supervision, Tamiflu can be taken along with other medications for treating other health conditions. It should be taken within 48 hours of the symptoms appearing. You should take dosage of Tamiflu as per the doctor's recommendation. If you miss one dose, you should not take double dose of Tamiflu. Taking Tamiflu exactly as directed can be an effective influenza treatment.
