It is Estimated Up to 500,000 People Worldwide Will Die from Influenza This Year

Getting the flu these days, is nothing to sneeze at. Influenza is a disease we pick up from birds and mammals. Once a human contracts a flu virus, it can spread throughout the world, causing flu epidemics in heavily populated areas.

Symptoms of influenza viruses can vary, depending on the flu strain that is going around. The general symptoms of a flu virus are muscle pains, soreness in the joints, fever, coughing, sneezing, fluid in the lungs, headache, sore throat, weakness and disorientation. If not treated, influenza can turn into pneumonia and can become fatal.

Whenever a flu virus is going around, I always keep a container of spray disinfected around. I spray down the bathroom and kitchen countertops the most. This helps to kill any flu virus that might be left by others, who are carrying the infection.

The World Health Organization notes that, influenza spreads most commonly, from infected individuals, spraying small particles when they cough and sneeze around others. Also by touch.

Last flu season, our ABC news affiliate, reported that many individuals were quite possibly, exposing themselves to flu viruses by touching the handles of shopping carts at store, others had used right before them. That Saturday, when we went shopping, I noticed a lot of peopled wiping down their shopping carts with disinfectant, before using those carts.

In seasonal epidemics of influenza, up to 15% of a population will become infected. It's important for us to understand influenza and just how debilitating an infection of it can be. Especially among the elderly, contracting a flu virus can become deadly, very fast.

My grandfather passed away from catching the flu. As careful as he was, during flu season, he caught it anyway. Four days later, he entered the hospital, caught pneumonia and died from it.

It is generally estimated, hospitalization and death mainly occurs in the elderly and those in ill health. Annually, it is estimated that the flu may account for up to a half of a million deaths, world wide.

A flu, in general, can be confused with a common cold. The symptoms may seem the same, but with a flu virus, the symptom can be much more pronounced, more severe and is not the same as a cold virus. When in doubt, your family doctor can determine if you have a flu.

What precautions can you take to avoid catching a flu?

The Center of Disease Control, along with most of the medical establishment, believes getting a flu shot is the number one safeguard we can take to avoid getting the flu.

If you have not gotten a flu shot yet, it is not too late to get one. You can check out the "American Lung Association" at their website, using their "Flu Clinic Locator", to find a flu clinic near you.

A influenza virus wants to survive. A strain of influenza could be viewed as a hive, a colony that seems to know when it is not growing any longer. As it is fought off and the strain of virus is dying, it will sometimes begin to mutate, coming another strain that is resistant to whatever was attacking it before.

Flu vaccines change with the virus. What may have worked well last year, might not work at all this season. This is one of the reasons why it is always a good idea to get a flu shot every flu season.

It is also recommended, keeping your distance from those infected with a flu, wash your hands often, avoid excessive hand contact to your nose, eye and mouth area, when around those infected.

If you catch the flu, try to avoid contact with others, so as not to spread the infection. Way too many individuals that get the flu, try to brave, going into work. What kind of a hero are you, if you infected a few people at work? They don't want the flu, anymore than you liked getting sick with it. You will be infected for about one week and feel punked out for a few days more.

If you succumb to influenza, see the doctor, take your meds, watch TV, read a book, rest, drink plenty of liquids, and lay low for a few days. Do not go to work.