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Influenza is a respiratory illness that is highly contagious and caused by a virus. It infects roughly 25-50 million people a year. It is a dangerous illness that can have serious symptoms. This is a timeline of its effect on your body.

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Influenza's method is to find new people to infect. The viruses highly contagious nature shows us that its goal is to infect as many people as possible, as fast as possible. Influenza is not able to stay in one host long term, so it moves quickly, spreading like wildfire to anyone it can find. This quick movement makes it so that by the time the immune response occurs, its already spread. This is how to virus stays alive and outsmarts the immune system. Studies have also shown that influenza uses a protein to mask itself and enter the cell. This allows the influenza to spread before the immune system realizes.

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Most experts believe that influenzas can be spread through droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or is talking. If another person breaths them in or they land in their nose or mouth, they can become infected. Influenzas are highly contagious.

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The doctor can confirm a positive flu case by using a nose or throat swab.

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Swine (H1N1) flu: Testing Procedures and Safety Guidelines

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Many of these symptoms are caused by the body's immune response to the virus. Once the virus is detected it will begin to fight it, but if the virus begins to spread, symptoms such as a fever and sore throat will be felt.

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The following symptoms will quickly be felt:
Fever
Headache
Sore Throat
Coughing
Muscle Pain
Weakness
Stuffy Nose

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Typically, on the 4th day the symptoms begin to improve. The symptoms can be further subsided through medications. There will still likely be mild discomfort.

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For up to two weeks after first feeling symptoms it is expected to continue to feel tired and a cough may stick around.

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The success of the influenza is determined by how long it was able to stay alive in one host and how many other people it infected. The longer it stays in one host than the more of a chance of spreading it. Like other viruses, influenza cannot live without a host, so its main goal is not to kill.

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Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C. | Experienced Spine Experts

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At Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C., we know how debilitating back and neck disorders can be for our patients and we know how important proper care is.

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1. Avoid close contact with a sick person
2.Stay home if you are sick
3.Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
4.Wash your hands often and throughly
5.Don't touch your face
6.Practice good health habits in general

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Rest and fluids are the main way to support the body in its fight against influenza. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help with the discomfort. Annual vaccines can help protect against serious illness.