Influenza

influenza - sick man with towel on his head

This disease is infectious and commonly referred to as a flu-bug. In more severe cases, this disease can lead to acute conditions, such as pneumonia, that could result in a fatality if left untreated for too long. Symptoms can sometimes last several days or begin to subside after a period of approximately one day.

This type of disease typically runs in patterns throughout different parts of the world and at different times. According to the World Health Organization, it is northern areas that experience more consistent outbreaks of this disease as to where patterns in southern countries tend to be more infrequent. It is easily spread throughout the air and it is difficult for lesser developed countries to combat with few available resources and modern advancements in medicine.

Symptoms

People who have contracted this disease will typically experience a fluctuation in body temperature from one extreme to another. There may also be several or all of the same symptoms of a common cold present, but a person will typically experience the onset of these symptoms much faster than in the case of a common cold. As previously mentioned, it is important to monitor the condition of someone suffering from this disease as some cases can lead to more serious respiratory ailments.

In certain cases, people may experience a skin rash when suffering from this disease and stomach and bowel discomfort or irregularities. Furthermore, feeling fatigued or lethargic frequently may also be the result of suffering from this kind of infectious disease. Some or all of these symptoms may be especially noticeable in those with weaker immune systems, such as the elderly and children. In fact, according to the experts at www.webmd.com, children are typically the first group to experience an outbreak.

Causes

This type of disease is caused by a virus that travels through the air from one person to another or when it becomes airborne. The excrement from fowls is also a prime candidate for releasing the virus and contaminating surrounding areas. Although most types of this disease are thought to spread through the air, some research has indicated there is further cause for investigation.

Prevention

Perhaps one of the most popular methods of attempting to prevent the spread of this disease is through trying to immunize people against different strands with medicine known as vaccines. It is thought that the average person who contracts this disease will be less likely to feel the debilitating consequences that become increasingly harmful. The experts at www.medicinenet.com suggest that is particularly salient that vulnerable or at-risk groups attempt to prevent the spread of the disease through this method as it often starts to spread outward from these groups.

Another way in which to attempt to prevent the spread of this disease is to ensure that common sense and good hygiene are being practiced regularly. Sanitary wiping papers and disinfectants can also be incredibly helpful in ensuring the spread of germs at home and in the work place. Typically, it is advisable to stay away from public situations when you are suffering from this disease. Nonetheless, there is no surmountable proof that this prevents wide-scale spreading of the disease.

Treatment

One type of treatment for this particular type of disease is known as an antiviral medicine and is the most effective when it is ingested shortly after beginning to experience the onset of symptoms for this disease. These steps above are perhaps the most important steps for at-risk and vulnerable demographics in society in order to try and successfully treat and contain the disease.

There is also another classification of antiviral medication used to treat this disease that is responsible for inhibiting certain types of protein strands complicit in the active virus. However, the validity of this type of medication is still being scrutinized by researchers and medical experts. Subsequently, one of the problems the medical community has discovered with inhibitors is the tendency to make the same types of medication less effective in the future if they are not ingested by the patient according to precise instructions from the doctor.

Countries affected by Influenza