What is the flue?

[Guest guest]

" The flu (or common flu) is a viral infection that is spread from person to

person in secretions of the nose and lungs, for example when sneezing.

Medically, it is referred to as influenza. Flu is a respiratory infection, that

is, an infection that develops primarily in the lungs. Respiratory infections

caused by other viruses often are called flu, but this is incorrect. Influenza

usually causes higher fever, more malaise, and severe body aches than other

respiratory infections. Although other viruses may cause these symptoms, they do

so less commonly.

" Influenza viruses are divided scientifically into three types, designated A, B,

and C. Influenza types A and B are responsible for epidemics of respiratory

illness that occur almost every winter. Influenza type C usually causes either a

very mild respiratory illness or no symptoms at all; it does not cause epidemics

and does not have the severe public-health impact of influenza types A and B.

Type A viruses are divided into subtypes and are named based on differences in

two viral surface proteins called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There

are 16 known H subtypes and nine known N subtypes. "

The flu is a common illness. Every year in the United States, on average

a.. 5%-20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are

hospitalized from flu complications

b..

c.. About 36,000 people die from the flu or its complications

d.. FYI,

e.. Lottie Duthu

http://answers./question/index?qid=20081008080922AAhrUij

http://www.medicinenet.com/flu_vaccination/article.htm

FYI,

Lottie Duthu