Tips on Coping with the Flu Bug

It is that time of the year again. Your head hurts, your throat is scratchy, your cold one minute, and the next you feel as if you're on fire. You may be the yet another victim who has adopted the flu into their body!

The flu, or scientifically more known as influenza, is a mutating virus that affects the respiratory system in particular. The flu bug is most common among young children, however it affects about a quarter of the population of the United States annually. It can be deadly in some cases, especially for someone who has a chronic illness or a weak immune system, this being especially true in people of old age.

Each year, the strain of influenza changes slightly. However, every decade or so, the mutating virus goes through major changes and the severity of an outbreak is far greater than a typical flu season. The most common time of flu, breakouts are in the winter months. From November to April, as many as 60 million Americans come down with the virus. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized, and as a result, another 36,000 died from flu complications.

The influenza virus is spread through the air, such when a person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks. Those who are infected may be contagious for up to four days and not even realize it, as they have no symptoms. A flu outbreak usually happens very suddenly and with little warning. It spreads through communities creating an epidemic. Schools and other public places such as restaurants, hospitals, and areas with many people concentrated in a confined space are excellent places for the influenza virus to attack and spread. In the worst cases, as much as half of the population of a community will come down with the flu virus once there has been a break out.

Most people who get the flu will get better within a week, however, for some people the virus can be life threatening. Symptoms of the flu are commonly experienced one to four days after coming in contact with the virus. Such symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Congested Nose
• Sore Throat
• Body Aching
• Coughing/Sneezing

A flu victim can experience body temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In some cases, the influenza virus can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, however, these conditions are usually mistaken for a illness called gastroenteritis, as some may call it 'Stomach Flu', which is not a case of influenza virus.

The influenza virus has been classified into three categories: Types A, B, and C.

Type A influenza is the most common type of the flu bug, and is usually the cause of the most serious epidemics. Type A influenza has also been known to build up a resistance to certain drugs and medications used to combat the virus.

Type B influenza is usually milder than Type A, but can also cause epidemics.

Type C on the other hand is probably the rarest type of influenza to have caused and large-scale epidemic.

Even though the flu can spread on a large scale, there are certain methods to minimize your chances of becoming victim to this virus. For starters, proper hygiene and care will be an important factor in making sure there is small chance for you to acquire the virus. Washing your hands frequently and avoiding the sharing of cups and utensils, and other personal objects, as well as keeping the house clean and free from dust, is important to minimize the risks.

Another method to prevent you from acquiring the virus is by taking action early before the flu season starts, by going to your doctor and asking about a flu vaccine. Each year, scientists develop a new vaccine made up of different strains of the influenza virus, that they believe are most likely to infect people that year. In some cases, however, you may still get the flu even after you have gotten your vaccine. This is because there is no 100% guarantee or certainty of the virus as it is constantly changing, but you are more likely to go through with it with less severe symptoms if you do happen to get it. There are some possible side effects associated with the flu vaccine, such as allergic reactions; therefore, you should discuss your condition with a doctor before agreeing to take the vaccine.

Other than that, if you do happen to get the flu in some way, the only cure is to rest and wait it out until it passes. Some medication may make you feel better as well, and you should not stop on the fluid intake.