Martha Cook by Martha Cook

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:27:35 UTC

Influenza viruses are classified into four types: A, B, C, and D. Almost every winter in the United States, influenza A and B viruses produce seasonal epidemics of sickness in individuals (known as flu season).

Influenza A: HA & NA undergo minor and occasionally major changes. It can be the cause of epidemics and pandemics

Influenza B: relatively slow changes in time. Influenza B is only seen in humans. It can be the cause of epidemics.

Influenza C: is an uncommon, filamentous strain that is only seen in humans. Typically, there are only sporadic cases of Influenza C.

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:28:46 UTC

This diagram depicts the two types of influenza viruses (A and B), which cause the majority of human sickness and are responsible for flu seasons each year. Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes, whereas influenza B viruses are divided into two lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria. Both influenza A and B viruses can be divided into clades and sub-clades (also known as groups and sub-groups). Please keep in mind that this is just an example, and actual influenza clades and subclades may differ from those shown here.

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:32:38 UTC

Current seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against influenza viruses known to produce epidemics, such as influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2), influenza B/Victoria lineage, and influenza B/Yamagata lineage viruses. Getting vaccinated against these viruses, as well as other flu viruses that are antigenically similar to the viruses used to manufacture the vaccine, can provide protection. Preventing Seasonal Flu with Vaccination provides information on this season's vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines do not protect against influenza C or D viruses, nor can they protect against zoonotic (animal-origin) flu viruses that can infect humans, such as variant or avian (bird) flu viruses. Furthermore, flu vaccines will NOT protect against infection and sickness caused by other viruses.

Prevention

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:37:01 UTC

Prevention is essential. Maintain your flu, COVID, and RSV vaccinations as recommended by your private medical practitioner.

Hand hygiene is critical! Wash your hands for 20–30 seconds with soap and water, especially the front and underneath your fingernails, or use hand sanitizer. Keep your sick child away from other children. It is critical to stay home from school for 24 hours after the fever has decreased if no antipyretics have been taken. If you or your child must go out while suffering from cold or flu symptoms, wear a breathing mask to limit transmission. Consult your pediatrician as required.

Symptoms

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:41:25 UTC

The seasonal flu is an infectious viral respiratory infection. It is capable of causing mild to severe disease as well as death. Flu season in Iowa typically peaks in February, but it can occur as early as October and as late as May. Flu symptoms include a high fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, a headache or body pains, chills, and lethargy. Most people who catch the flu recover in one to two weeks.

Who can get the flu and myths about the flu

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:44:59 UTC

Anyone (including healthy individuals) can catch the flu, and serious flu-related complications can occur at any age, although some people are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they become ill. persons 65 and older, persons of any age with certain chronic medical illnesses (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and children under the age of five are all eligible.

How the flu is inquired

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:48:06 UTC

An influenza virus causes the flu. Most people get the flu by breathing in tiny airborne droplets from someone else's coughs or sneezes. You can also get the flu if you contact something contaminated with the virus and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. Colds and flu are frequently confused.

Treatment

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:50:38 UTC

Antiviral medications can help treat flu symptoms. Antiviral medications are not the same as antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription-only medications (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or inhaled powder) that are not accessible over the counter. Antiviral medications can make your illness less severe and decrease your hospital stay. The flu is generally treated with rest and fluids to allow the body to fight the illness on its own. Anti-inflammatory pain medicines sold over the counter may aid with symptoms. An annual flu vaccine can help prevent and decrease the severity of the flu.

More ways or treatment

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 22:56:43 UTC

Period of Contagiousness

cook11202011 — 2023-11-26 23:02:18 UTC

You might be capable of transmitting the flu to others before you realize you are sick, as well as while you are sick with symptoms. People who have the flu are most contagious during the first 3-4 days of their illness. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others starting one day before symptoms appear and continuing for up to five to seven days after becoming ill. Some persons, particularly small children and those with compromised immune systems may be able to infect others for an extended period of time.