Flu Shot Facts - Battling Influenza

by Charlie Cory

Before we discuss the facts surrounding flu shots, perhaps we ought to be clear what flu (influenza) actually is? The flu is an infection of the air waves. Typical symptoms range from fever, sore throat, aching muscles and a cough. Any combination of these symptoms can last for a week or more. Whilst the flu is a manageable disease for most people in society, some people are particularly vulnerable. Those particularly at risk are the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Diabetes sufferers, those with kidney problems and heart disease sufferers are also high on the risk list. Many people die from flu each year; mostly from within the high risk groups.

So, what is the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine is usually prepared from chick embryos, which have been inoculated with a flu virus. Formaldehyde is used to deactivate the flu virus, which is then preserved with a mercury derivative called thimerosal.

In the States, the health authorities try and guess which three flu strains are most likely to cause problems in the coming year (it doesn't sound very scientific, does it!). Those flu strains deemed to be likely to cause problems are those that are included in the flu vaccine. If the guess is good, the vaccine is thought to be between 70% and 80% effective in preventing the flu in healthy people outside of the high risk groups; particularly the elderly (over 65). If however health officials do not predict which flu strains will be most prevalent, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be lower.

The annual flu shot is designed to counter one of the flu strains contained in the vaccine and nothing else. Any malady's that are not part of the flu strains will not be effected by the vaccine. So a sore throat, for example, which is not caused by flu, will not be helped by a shot of the flu vaccine.

The question is often asked as to why flu shots are necessary every year. One of the reasons for this is that the prevalent strains of flu change every year, so the vaccine will need to change. To stand a chance of being safe from the most likely suspects of flue virus, you would need to get a shot every year.

Many people are concerned about reactions to flu vaccine. The most common reactions, which begin within 12 hours or so of the vaccination, are symptoms of the flu itself, such as fever, tiredness, headaches etc. However, there are more serious reactions, which are known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). These usually occur within two to four weeks of the shot. GBS is an nerve disorder, with symptoms such as muscle weakness, unsteadiness, numbness, tingling and pain. In extreme cases, paralysis of a limb or of the face can occur. It can take several months to recover, but it is not uncommon for some disability to remain. Having said that, less than 5 percent of GBS cases end in death.

The flu vaccine has never been recommended for healthy children. Some flu vaccine contain mercury as a preservative (as mentioned earlier). In the summer of 1999, the FDA, CDC and EPA directed the vaccine manufacturers to remove mercury (which is known as a neuro toxin) as a preservative in childhood vaccines, so no flu vaccine containing mercury should ever be used with children.

About the Author
Charlie Cory is a computer consultant and an online entrepreneur. He divides his time between his family and his online activities. If you want to know more about the flu, then visit this site which is full of information relating to influenza.

Important Facts About The Flu

by Ethan Miller

The flu is a respiratory infection, despite the fact that it causes full body pain, digestive upsets, and headaches. The flu can sweep through entire communities in a matter of days, moving through schools, work places, and shopping centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected with the flu during each flu season, typically from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to become ill.

The CDC estimates that 200,000 people are hospitalized each year and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complication.

The danger of the flu is that it spreads to epidemic proportions within days, and it mutates, making it difficult to prevent. Each strain of flu reacts differently in the body, making it impossible to predict how the next epidemic will hit society.

The government is now encouraging people to cough into their upper arm, or sleeve, if they do not have a tissue. They should also wipe their hands after they cough. This prevents the spread of the disease between people working in close proximity of each other.

Hand washing needs to be done with a soap based, or alcohol based hand cleaner. The new bacterial cleaners may not work unless they are alcohol based.

The elderly, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, however, the flu and its complications can be life-threatening. The danger caused by an out-break dependsd on the virus strain.

Flu is caused by a variety of influenza viruses. Researchers identified the first strains in the 1930s. They classify influenza viruses into types A, B, and C.

* Type A is the most common and causes the serious epidemics. * Type B outbreaks can cause epidemics, but the symptoms are milder than those in type A. * Type C viruses, has never been connected with an epidemic.

There is no cure for the flu. The only plan of action is plenty of bed rest, drinking fluids, and taking medications that alleviate the symptoms.

This is followed by careful attention to symptoms. The flu can turn into a bacterial infection, resulting in pneumonia, within hours. It is important to remember that complications can appear after the patient starts to feel better.

Complications include a high fever, shaking, chills, chest pains, and may include vomiting and diarrhea. A doctor should be consulted if coughing produces a yellow-green mucus, especially if it is expectorated from the body. This means, that it is coughed hard from the body with force, sending it several feet away - if the patient did not have a tissue.

It is important to remember that influenza A virus is resistant to Rimantadine and amantadine. The CDC recommends that you not take these medicines to treat the flu. Avoid giving aspirin to children and adolescents with the flu, and do not take antibiotics.

IF a pandemic breaks out, visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ to learn the news, and learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family. This site tracks the all forms of the flu, and has tutorials to help people protect themselves in case of a flu pandemic.

About the Author
Ethan Miller advises on health issues from his web site at http://asthmaroom.com He invites you to receive his FREE health information guide here http://www.lowcarbrescue.com

Flu Season: The Most Miserable Time Of The Year!

by Richard H Ealom

Introduction
Flu (influenza) season means the months of the year when a lot of people have it and it's easy to catch. Outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur mainly in the late fall and winter. It is a respiratory infection caused by a number of different viruses. Vaccines are usually given in the fall, before flu season starts and are available as a shot or nasal mist. Shots are most important for: people 65 or older, nursing home patients, children over 6 months old, people with health problems such as asthma or with long-term diseases, such as HIV or heart disease, children or teen-agers who must often take aspirin, people who are often around older people or those with health problems. Symptoms can be mild or severe …#34; and if they’re mild can become severe without notice.

Symptoms

If you get infected by the virus, you will usually feel symptoms 1 to 4 days later. Signs of the flu may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, dizziness, loss of appetite, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, weakness, ear pain, diarrhea. They come on suddenly and are worse than those of the common cold however; having these symptoms does not automatically mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of these signs alone.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications, you should consult your health-care provider. Based on your signs, your doctor can usually tell if you have influenza, especially during times when a lot of it is going around. After 5 days, fever and other signs have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue for a while. All symptoms are usually gone within a week or two.

Vaccine

Two kinds of flu vaccines are available in the United States: The "flu shot" …#34; an in-activated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm OR the nasal-spray …#34; a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause influenza (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). On October 24, 2007 CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended expanding the use of the nasal influenza vaccine LAIV (FluMist) to include healthy children ages 2-4 years old without a history of asthma or recurrent wheezing.

Anyone who's at risk of getting really sick needs to get a flu shot, or vaccine. It’s good for kids who are around older people and younger kids (like little brothers and sisters) to get the vaccine also. If you get the vaccine, or shot, it will protect you from getting a bad case of the flu. Whichever one you get, you need to get a new vaccine every year because the flu virus changes every year and the vaccine is created to fight the viruses that are going to be a problem that year. The flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November, although it may be given at other times of the year. Because it prevents infection from only a few of the viruses floating around that can cause flu-like symptoms, it is not a guaranteed protection against getting sick. Call your doctor or local public health department about availability in your area.

Treatment

Many people treat their flu by simply Resting in bed, Drinking plenty of fluids, Taking over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can develop complications if you get a bacterial infection, which can cause pneumonia in your weakened lungs. Treatment is usually not necessary for children, but if the illness is diagnosed early and the patient is at risk of developing a severe case, it can and should be started. Treatment will only help however; If started early and only if the illness is actually influenza. Treatment includes bed rest and plenty of fluids; anti-viral drugs may also be prescribed.

Conclusion

Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms: Fever (usually high), Headache, Tiredness (can be extreme), Cough, Sore throat, Runny or stuffy nose, Body aches, Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults). A doctor's exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication. There are tests that can determine if you have influenza as long as you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness. In some people, the illness can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. The flu can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.

Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious complications. The virus usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a vaccination each year.

The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease). October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years.

About the Author
Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". Need more information Please visit our website @ http://rainydrops.com/a-flu/flu.php or http://rainydrops.com/alternative-orthodox.php

The Scary Truth About Influenza (II)

By SALLY H. HOUSTON, M.D.

How Can I Prevent Flu?

Vaccination is safe and effective. There are two kinds of vaccine: an injection and a new nasal vaccine.
The injection is made with killed flu virus and is safe for people 6 months old and older. The nasal vaccine is administered directly into the nose and is for healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years.

You cannot get flu from the injected vaccine. There is a small risk that people with weakened immune systems could become sick from the nasal vaccine, which is made with a weakened form of the flu virus.
Some people still get flu after vaccination, but they are much less likely to become seriously ill than those who have not been vaccinated.
There may not be adequate supplies of flu vaccine to vaccinate everyone against flu every year. In that case, vaccine manufacturers and public health authorities will work together to assure those at greatest risk receive vaccines first.
Priorities for flu vaccination include individuals at high risk for complications and their caregivers. This includes children 6 months to 5 years old, pregnant women, those over 50 years old, people who live in nursing homes and those with chronic illnesses.
Complications associated with flu vaccine are very rare and include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever and aches (more common in children), and allergic reactions to components of the vaccine.
Medicines used to treat flu can also be used to prevent flu, but these work best when used in addition to the vaccine. Otherwise, they must be taken for the whole flu season, which spans fall and winter.
Some people cannot take vaccine and may need to take these medications to prevent flu. Check with your doctor if you have questions about flu prevention.

Keeping sick people at home, washing hands frequently, covering nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing will prevent flu, as well as ward off other germs that cause colds, vomiting or diarrhea.

Dr. Sally Houston is an associate professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and chief of staff at Tampa General Hospital.

The Scary Truth About Influenza (I)

By SALLY H. HOUSTON, M.D.

The Flu Kills More Than 36,000 People Each Year -- Here's How to Protect Yourself

Flu has been one of the most devastating infections in human history. In 1918 and 1919, the flu killed 50 million people worldwide in just a few months.

Fortunately, flu seasons this dangerous are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. That is 15 to 60 million people in the United States alone.
Approximately 200,000 are hospitalized because of flu complications, and 36,000 die. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people got their flu vaccine in the fall each year.
There are hundreds of possible strains of flu virus, and getting the flu once does not protect you from getting it again.
Each year scientists determine which strains of flu are the most likely for the next flu season. Then they make a vaccine to protect against those strains.

Even if you get infected with a different strain, the flu vaccine will help your body fight off the infection more quickly, and you will not get as sick.

What Is Flu?

The flu is caused by the influenza virus, a potentially life-threatening respiratory tract infection that can be prevented by getting vaccinated and avoiding exposure. Preventing the spread of influenza is everyone's responsibility.
Flu symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and severe muscle pains in the legs and low back. People with the flu usually do not experience a runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea.
Most people with flu will feel terrible for five to seven days and then recover completely. However, the very young, elderly or those with chronic illnesses are at greater risk of developing complications that may lead to hospitalization or even death. These patients develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure or heart failure.

What Do I Do If I Get the Flu?

The most important thing any flu victim can do is to stay at home. This will help prevent spread of flu to others.
A quick call to your doctor is also important because there are medicines that will shorten the course and decrease the severity of flu symptoms, but they must be started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.

Rest, drink plenty of fluids and take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the fever and muscle aches. But never give aspirin to children with the flu because serious and deadly complications can develop.
Tylenol is a very safe medication for treating fever and pain, but high doses or even normal doses taken with alcohol can cause liver failure. Check over-the-counter medication labels to be sure that you do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours. Ibuprofen should be taken with plenty of liquids and some food to prevent stomach upset.

Dr. Sally Houston is an associate professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and chief of staff at Tampa General Hospital.

to be continued

Influenza

By Kristy Haugen

Influenza is a respiratory tract infection involving the upper airways and lungs. Many refer to influenza as the “flu”. Influenza is highly contagious transmitted by saliva and airborne droplets expelled by coughing and sneezing. The incubation is very short ranging from one to three days. Common symptoms of influenza are fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, dry cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, malaise, fatigue, sneezing, sweating, and irritated eyes.

The influenza virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the orthomyxoviridae family. Three genera of the influenza virus currently exist. Each influenza virus is identified by the antigenic differences in their nucleoprotein and matrix protein.

The influenza B and C viruses infect only humans. Populations tend to have more resistance to these two viruses. This is because influenza B and C only undergo a type of evolution referred to as antigenic drift. RNA replication in these viruses is frequently error prone and leads to many point mutations. These point mutations lead to very little change in the new viral strain. Influenza B and C viruses cause relatively mild and limited disease epidemics. The influenza A virus infects mammals and birds (avian influenza). This virus is more likely to cause a pandemic (world wide epidemic). Influenza A is a recombinant virus, meaning an interchange of gene segments if two different viruses infect the same cell. This type of evolution is referred to antigenic shift. Avian and human strains recombining in pigs in the Far East may permit the virulent human strains to evolve. Common antigenic variants include H1N1, and H3N2.

Influenza A can be further classified by the surface proteins. Sixteen subtypes of the viral surface protein hemagglutinin (HA or H) currently exist. Nine subtypes of the viral surface protein neuraminidase (NA or N) exist. These surface proteins are essential for the virus’ life cycle.

The flu season reaches a peak prevalence in winter. The Northern and Southern hemispheres have winter at different times, meaning that there is actually two flu seasons annually. Two different vaccinations are made for the different flu seasons each year. The Northern Hemisphere flu season peaks in January or February. The Southern Hemisphere flu season peaks in October.

Influenza vaccines are developed each based off the predominant strains in the Southern Hemisphere. The vaccine contains an inactivated (killed) virus. Protection provided by the vaccine depends on effectiveness of the strain used to make the vaccine.

Vaccinations typically begin in October. Those that are susceptible to illness such as the elderly (65 years and older), young children (under 5 years of age), and immunocompromised patients are encouraged to be vaccinated. Young children are likely to get complications from the flu such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections.

Anyone who has an allergy to eggs should not be vaccinated. Allergy to the vaccine is due to small amounts of egg protein that remain in the vaccine after purification. This is considered to be a rare side effect. Many complain of injection site soreness up to two days after vaccination. This is temporary and should go away. Typical side effects include fever, malaise, muscle aches occurring 6-12 hours after vaccination.

There are currently medications used to treat influenza. Amantadine and rimantadine are medications used to treat influenza A only. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu and Relenza block the normal function of the viral surface protein neuraminidase. These medications can be used to treat influenza A and B. Resistance to adamantine derivatives (amantadine, rimantadine) is seen in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea due to availability in over-the-counter remedies.

The avian flu naturally infects aquatic birds. However, pandemics occur when the avian adapted virus infects porcine (pigs). This virus will then recombine to form a genetically new virus. The genetically new virus infects humans that are in close contact with the infected porcine. The flu is then transmitted from person to person, beginning an epidemic.

In 1997 the avian flu (H5N1) originating from chickens in Hong Kong, killed 6 of 18 infected. This strain was not readily transmissible from human to human. However, this strain resurfaced in 2004 in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. This virus remains avian adapted and cannot be transmitted from person to person. A vaccine cannot be made until this virus has recombined into a human adapted form.

Elderberry extract is a trademarked over-the-counter remedy to shorten the duration of an influenza episode. This will not prevent the illness if taken before hand. Only vaccination can help to prevent influenza infections.

Influence is on the minds of many and rightfully so. The avian flu will pose a threat to the world's population if predictions are correct. Maintaining good health is essential during the flu season. One way to do that is take a good vitamin supplement.

Copyright 2005 Kristy Haugen

Kristy is a mother and experienced nurse. She has a Bachelor in Biology and Chemistry and writes to inform individuals interested in health information.

Important Facts About The Flu

by Ethan Miller

The flu is a respiratory infection, despite the fact that it causes full body pain, digestive upsets, and headaches. The flu can sweep through entire communities in a matter of days, moving through schools, work places, and shopping centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected with the flu during each flu season, typically from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to become ill.

The CDC estimates that 200,000 people are hospitalized each year and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complication.

The danger of the flu is that it spreads to epidemic proportions within days, and it mutates, making it difficult to prevent. Each strain of flu reacts differently in the body, making it impossible to predict how the next epidemic will hit society.

The government is now encouraging people to cough into their upper arm, or sleeve, if they do not have a tissue. They should also wipe their hands after they cough. This prevents the spread of the disease between people working in close proximity of each other.

Hand washing needs to be done with a soap based, or alcohol based hand cleaner. The new bacterial cleaners may not work unless they are alcohol based.

The elderly, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, however, the flu and its complications can be life-threatening. The danger caused by an out-break dependsd on the virus strain.

Flu is caused by a variety of influenza viruses. Researchers identified the first strains in the 1930s. They classify influenza viruses into types A, B, and C.

* Type A is the most common and causes the serious epidemics. * Type B outbreaks can cause epidemics, but the symptoms are milder than those in type A. * Type C viruses, has never been connected with an epidemic.

There is no cure for the flu. The only plan of action is plenty of bed rest, drinking fluids, and taking medications that alleviate the symptoms.

This is followed by careful attention to symptoms. The flu can turn into a bacterial infection, resulting in pneumonia, within hours. It is important to remember that complications can appear after the patient starts to feel better.

Complications include a high fever, shaking, chills, chest pains, and may include vomiting and diarrhea. A doctor should be consulted if coughing produces a yellow-green mucus, especially if it is expectorated from the body. This means, that it is coughed hard from the body with force, sending it several feet away - if the patient did not have a tissue.

It is important to remember that influenza A virus is resistant to Rimantadine and amantadine. The CDC recommends that you not take these medicines to treat the flu. Avoid giving aspirin to children and adolescents with the flu, and do not take antibiotics.

IF a pandemic breaks out, visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ to learn the news, and learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family. This site tracks the all forms of the flu, and has tutorials to help people protect themselves in case of a flu pandemic.

About the Author
Ethan Miller advises on health issues from his web site at http://asthmaroom.com He invites you to receive his FREE health information guide here http://www.lowcarbrescue.com

About Common Cold and Influenza - What is the Difference (I)

By Knut Holt

Both common cold and flu give symptoms from the ear, nose and throat, fever and symptoms from the rest of the body, and the symptoms of both diseases can vary between mild and very bad. By common cold, the symptoms from the windpipe come first and remain as the main symptoms.

By flu fever, pain in the rest of the body, nausea, feeling of weakness and other general symptoms are predominant. Symptoms from the windpipe are usually milder, but can gradually get somewhat worse. The symptoms from the windpipe may sometimes nearly lack.

THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF COMMON COLD

The common cold is caused by a large variety of viruses, which mutate quite frequently during reproduction, resulting in constantly changing virus strains.

Common cold is generally transmitted when drops coming out when a person sneezes or coughs get airborne and then are inhaled by another person. Transmission by direct contact with a sick person is also frequent. Between one-third and one-half of all people exposed to cold viruses become infected and develop symptoms after 1–2 days.

The symptoms from the windpipe are the strongest by common cold:
- The throat feels sore, and a sore throat is often the starting symptom.
- There will then be increased secretions of mucus form the nose, resulting in running nose and dryer secretions building up in the nose.
- The throat will also secrete more mucus, resulting in a wheezing sound, and possibly building up of dryer secretions also here.
- There will be swelling in the nose and throat.
- Cough and sneezing are important symptoms of common cold. These reactions are stimulated by the building up of secretions and of the swelling in the windpipe.

There may also be mild symptoms from the rest of the body.
- Mild to severe headache is common.
- A mild fever may occur.
- Some persons experience a little neck stiffness and pain in the neck when trying to flex it, but this symptom must not be great. If this symptom is great, it can be a sign of meningitis, a very serious disease.

THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF COMMON COLD

Staying away from people being sick and strict washing habits can prevent the transmission of common cold, but it is difficult to carry through a strict enough regime of this sort in a populated society.

Because of the frequent variations of viruses causing common cold, successful immunization has not been developed.

The immune system of the body usually manages to beat down the infection within some days. By common cold one shall hold an activity level that is felt comfortable. It is not necessary to strictly restrict the daily activities level.

High doses of vitamin C have been proven to help prevent cold and get rid of the cold faster, but the doses that must be used are impractically high if vitamin C is used alone. However, a combination of lower doses of vitamin C with other natural substances may be useful.

Common treatments of cold have the aim of relieving symptoms and of strengthening the immune system so that it can beat the infection better. Pain killers such as aspirin and paracetamol relieve the pain by common cold effectively, and are the most common treatment for this disease. However, both drugs can give adverse reactions if they are used in greater amounts than recommended and even recommended doses can sometimes give dangerous effects.

Aspirin can cause internal bleeding and both aspirin and paracetamol can cause liver damage. For children and teens it is advised to use paracetamol, because the liver damage caused when young people take aspirin can be very severe. The drugs should therefore be used with caution and not in a too long period.

Drugs to loosen mucus, to decrease swelling, to decrease mucus production or to suppress the cough reflex can be effective to relieve symptoms. These drugs are often made to mainly loose mucus or mainly suppress exaggerated cough, but these two effects can be blended in the same drug. These drugs may be liquid, be prepared as nasal spray or as tablets to suck on. To choose the right drug for your child or yourself, you must examine to find out what are the main symptoms: Mucus production, whether the mucus is loose or hard, swelling or exaggerated cough.

Steam inhaling is a traditional treatment long used in many countries. The treatment can help loose the mucus so that the windpipe more easily is cleared by cough. The treatment may also to some extend destroy the virus.

The drug Pleconaril is ment to attack the viruses causing the majority of common colds, picornaviruses. The drug has been developed by ViroPharma Incorporated and Schering. The drug is available in oral form and inter-nasal formulations are being developed, but the efficacy of the drug is not clearly established and the drug is not yet approved for general use.

Interferons are used nasally in Eastern Europe to treat common cold. Interfeons are natural proteins than regulate the function of the immune system.

There exist herbal and mineral supplements on the marked that may strengthen the immune system and thus prevent cold from occurring, ameliorate the cold if it still occurs, and help the body to fight down the disease faster. These supplements often contain extracts of Echinacea Angustifolia. Treatment with this herb should not exceed two weeks.

How is Influenza Transmitted? And Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu

By Patsy Hamilton

As the cold and flu season approaches in the northern hemisphere, people have many questions about the bugs, including “how is influenza transmitted” and questions about how influenza vaccine works to help prevent outbreaks of the flu. The peak of the flu season in the United States is from December to March. Vaccinations for seasonal flu usually begin in the fall. Here we provide the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the flu and the flu shot.

How is influenza transmitted?

It is believed that the common strains of influenza are transmitted from one person to another by coughing and sneezing. When an infected person coughs or sneezes (and does not cover his/her mouth) the viruses fly into the air along with mucus, saliva and other secretions. It takes a while for these microscopic particles to settle, so for several minutes, they are airborne. Another person can become infected by inhaling the airborne particles or touching a surface that has been contaminated with them. When the particles are airborne, it is difficult to avoid them without wearing a surgical mask or other device that filters out the viruses. Avoiding becoming infected by touching contaminated surfaces is easily avoidable by washing the hands before touching the face, mouth, nose or eyes. The virus must enter the respiratory system, before an infection can occur. Influenza viruses cannot enter the body through the skin.

Do animals get the flu?

Yes, but the influenza viruses that affect birds and other animals are different from those that infect humans.

How is influenza transmitted from animals to humans?

Usually, the viruses that infect animals and birds do not infect humans, but in some cases, as with the strain that is currently circulating in Asia and commonly referred to as “bird flu”, it does happen. The majority of the cases of human infection with bird flu have resulted from handling sick or dead birds or contact with feces and other excrements of sick birds. Rarely is the disease believed to have been transmitted by human to human contact and only among close family members, who lived in the same house with a sick person, who was originally infected by handling or caring for sick poultry.

How does the flu shot work?

Questions about how influenza vaccine works can only be adequately answered if you first understand a little bit about the function of the human immune system. The immune system is divided into functions that are considered to be innate and those that are considered to be acquired. You are born with innate immunities. Acquired immunities are those that, as the name implies, we acquire over time by being exposed to different viruses and other microbes that can cause infection. How influenza vaccine works is by allowing cells of the immune system to identify the virus, without actually becoming infected with the virus. This is a very simplified explanation, but we hope that it helps answer your questions.

For more information about how is influenza transmitted and how to boost your immune system strength, please visit our website at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in healthcare and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide.

Flu (Influenza) Definition & Natural Remedies

By Peter Salazar

Definition and description of Flu: Flu is referred to as Influenza in medical terminology. Flu is a highly contagious and acute respiratory tract infection that normally occurs in winter season. Generally, flu appears in form of epidemic. Though flu can affect people of all ages, children are affected more. Immuno-suppressed people, young children and people with chronic diseases experience the high severity of flu. Pneumonia (viral pneumonia or bacterial infection) is most common complication produced by flu. Other complications include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myositis, myocarditis, Reye’s syndrome, encephalitis and pericarditis.

Causes of Flu: Flu is resulted from various strains of influenza virus. These viruses can mutate into various forms. You can get infected with flu by inhaling respiratory droplet from a person infected with flu or through indirect contact like using contaminated glass.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu: The main symptoms of flu include weakness, muscle aches, fatigue, fever, headaches and sneezing. Runny nose may be observed in some cases. Usually, symptoms of flu are mild in nature and do not lead to any serious health complications. However if you experience one of the following condition you must consult your health care provider.

If you have fever (above 102 F) for more than three days

If heavy mucus is released after coughing

If you face breathing difficulty

If you have flu like symptoms for considerably longer duration

Prevention of Flu: You may get protected from flu though immunization. There are certain vaccinations available for prevention of flu. There are certain side effects like appearance of mild flu like symptoms, inflammation at the injection site etc attached to the influenza vaccine. People with weak resistance must avoid crowded places like shopping centers, markets, theaters etc, especially during onset of flu epidemic.

Treatment of Flu: There are no specific treatments for flu. Generally medications known for their ‘anti-flu’ characteristic are prescribed. Bed rest and increase in fluid intake can help you in achieving relief from flu. Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are used for relieving muscle pains and headaches. Apart from the medications certain alternate therapies like homeopathy and herbal medicines may provide significant results. Use of natural supplements like colloidal silver, colloidal gold etc may help in prevention of flu as these colloidal are known for their property of killing bacteria, viruses and other micro organisms responsible for infections.

Peter Salazar's source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com