Influenza

What is Influenza?

Influenza commonly known as the flu is defined by oxforddictionaries.com as 'a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching and catarrh'. Symptoms include but are not limited to fever, body aches, head ache, loss of appetite, tiredness, dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. Caused by one of the many strains of either influenza virus Type A or B, particular vaccines are administered annually to try and combat seasonal outbreaks towards late Autumn and early Winter. To date there have been 6 pandemics, the worst by far being the Spanish flu of 1918. The virus is spread by tiny droplets through direct contact in the forms of coughing, sneezing or touching a recently contaminated object and then touching the facial area. Young children, pregnant women, elderly people, long term illness sufferers or those with impaired immune systems are most at risk of being infected. Although it can be life threatening, generally symptoms last between 3 and 5 days before subsiding.