FLU AND YOU

The flu is a respiratory (i.e., nose, throat, and lung) infection that is caused basically by influenza viruses. Many people use the word "flu" when they actually have a cold. Although the common cold is also caused by viruses, the flu and common cold differ in several ways. Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is normally spread by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.

One can also catch flu by touching an infected person (Shaking hands). Adults are contagious 1-2 days before getting symptoms and up to 7 days after becoming ill. This means that you can spread the influenza virus before you even know you are infected.

One can recover from flu within 1 to 2 weeks, but some people are at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia.

CAUSES

Flu is contagious, which means it can easily spread from person to person. Viruses that cause flu spread from person to person mainly by droplets of respiratory fluids sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. Other people inhale the airborne virus and can become infected.

Flu virus can live on some surfaces for about 23-24 hours. This means that, in some cases, the flu can be spread when someone touches a surface (e.g., doorknobs, counter-tops, telephones, keyboards) that has the virus on it and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes. The flu is most easily spread in crowded places such as schools and offices.

It takes 1 to 4 days to incubate in humans, but infected people can become contagious starting the day before symptoms appear. Adults remain infectious for about 6 days, and children remain infectious for up to 10 days.

SYMPTOMS

 Symptoms of flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough. Swine flu in particular is also associated with vomiting and diarrhea.

Initial flu symptoms include headaches, chills, and a cough. Symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, and muscle aches soon follow. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are rare in adults but more common in children.

Since many people think they have the flu when it's actually a bad cold, here's a quick guide to help you tell the difference:

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Symptom onset	Gradual	abrupt
fever	Uncommon	usually present, high (38°C to 41°C or 102°F to 104°F); lasts 3 to 4 days
headache	Uncommon	very common
aches and pains	Slight	common and often severe
fatigue and weakness	Mild	significant; can last 2 to 3 weeks
extreme exhaustion	Never	very common at the start
stuffy nose	Common	sometimes
sneezing	Common	sometimes
sore throat	Common	sometimes
chest discomfort and cough	mild to moderate, hacking cough	common; often severe with painful cough

PREVENTION

1.    Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2.    Stay home when sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3.    Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.

4.    Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.