Flu

 What is Flu?

The influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by the influenza virus. It is a highly infectious disease, and every year, an estimated billion people gets the flu, and effects can be very mild or very severe. An estimated 4 million people are severely affected, and 400000 die. However, unlike other viruses, flu have small mutation fairly quickly and very easily, making them change every year and hard to control. On the bright side, in recent years, due to technological advancements, scientists have been able to estimate changes in the virus and create vaccines accordingly to keep up and slowdown the virus. Other than that, there are 4 strains of Influenza, which scientists also have to estimate in their researches.

Types of Influenza:

- Type A - Most common type and can cause pandemic/epidemic

- Type B - Less severe than Type A and cannot cause pandemic/epidemic but can still be severe

- Type C - Extremely mild influenza that rarely affects people

- Type D - Do not affect humans

Symptoms:

- Sneezing 

- Coughing

- Sore Throat

- Runny Nose

- Fever

- Fatigue

- Gastrointestinal symptoms

Transmission:

Flu is highly transmissible because it can be transmitted through air. If a droplet from a sneeze or cough enters your mouth, nose or eyes, you can be easily infected. It can also be transmitted through direct contact, even though it is a little less common. Other than that, there are flu seasons, which is around October to February, because of the temperature.

Past Flu Epidemics/Pandemics:

- Asiatic/Russian Flu 1889-1890

- Spanish Flu 1918 (H1N1)

- Asian Flu 1957 (H2N2)

- Hong Kong Flu 1968 (H3N2)

- Swine Flu 2009 (H1N1)

Prevention:

TAKE THE FLU SHOT!!!

Treatment:

Resting and taking care of yourself is usually the "treatment" for flu, but if you have a serious case, go see a doctor and they may give you antiviral drugs.