Flu / influenza, symptoms, flu shots and side effects, treatments - online resources and information

Flu

AskMen.com - Article with tips on losing the flu.

CDC National Vaccine Program Office: Pandemic Influenza - Includes information on past pandemics, flu defense tactics, and pandemic planning guides.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Vaccine and antiviral information. Also provides national and international surveillance reports.

Don't get Knocked out by the Flu - An article by Dr. Rob Hicks about vaccines and treatment.

Flu Net - The World Health Organization links national influenza centres and collaborating centres for global influenza surveillance.

Flu Shots for Children - Offers Influenza facts, vaccine facts, who should get the flu shot, and Q&As about the vaccine.

Flu101.com - Contains information and solutions on viral diseases, the flu, HIV, AIDS.

HealthLink MCW - An article answering the question: how do I know it's the flu?

HealthWorld Online: Influenza - Alternative medicine remedies such as herbs and tonics are presented at possible flu medicines. Focus piece advises on treating children.

Influenza - World Health Organization - Monitor the flu with WHO's mapping system which points to outbreaks and seasonal activity. Offers flu facts and recommended vaccine information.

Influenza American Lung Association - Q&A page defines the flu, and examines its severity and complications. Read about who should get vaccinated, and how to stay healthy.

Influenza Bibliography - Maintained by the National Institute for Medical Research in London, England. Features bibliography for the current year and archives for 1993-1999.

Influenza Vaccine - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point looks at who needs the flu vaccine and when, as well as the risk of serious reaction.

Influenza virus - Stunning photos show stained flu virus particles and evidence of internal helical components - the virus's RNA.

Influenza Virus Illustration - Computer graphics of the appearance and structure of the virus with a description.

Kilbourne, NY Medical College Influenza Archive - An archive of influenza virus reassortants, mutants, and antisera, including a database of flu viruses and vaccines, with information about phenotype, genotype, special properties, and relevant published references.

Maxim Flu - From Maxim Healtcare Services. Search for flu vaccination clinics.

Maxim Health Systems Find a Flu Shot Clinic - Locate flu shot clinics by zip code, area code, or state. Get information on who needs a flu shot and why its important for preventing complications.  

Medinfo: Influenza - Easy to understand information for patients on influenza, a virus which causes a severe form of respiratory tract infection with generalised bodily symptoms

National Campaign for Influenza Protection - Offers a series of educational activities for healthcare professionals through its CME initiative to help physicians combat influenza.

National Flu Surveillance Network - US information on influenza and the flu virus with current trends, news, community outbreaks and surveillance maps. [Requires Flash]

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases - Information about influenza.

Oregon Influenza Facts - Puts the virus into historical perspective for Oregon, including the numbers of flu-related deaths. Learn about risk factors and prevention.

Partners in Health National Influenza Immunization Campaign - Canadian organization. Information on the need for immunizations to prevent the disease. In English and French.

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health - Offers general information about flu viruses and a look at current and prior flu activity in Switzerland.

Vads Corner - Emerging viruses, Outbreaks, Haze, Nipah virus, enterovirus 71, Influenza, H5N1 Influenza A, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, Dioxin, Arsenic, Medline, Medical Journals.

WebMD Health - Offers a consumer health site for cold and flu. Included information on prevention and natural remedies.

Flu / influenza symptoms

Better Homes and Gardens Cold and Flu Guide - Deciphering cold, flu, and allergy symptoms. Treatments that work in preventing colds and flu.

WrongDiagnosis.com: Symptoms of Flu - Features common signs and symptoms, incubation period, duration, and diagnosis.

e-Medicine Health - Flu in Adults - Consumer health resource center providing an overview of adult influenza and its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Influenza Vaccine - Discusses influenza, its symptoms and treatment options, including the effectiveness of flu vaccinations. Also includes a chart describing the differences between the flu and the common cold.

Wake Forest University: Influenza - Symptoms and treatment of Influenza from the Student Health Service of Wake Forest University.

Natural Healthlink - Detailed information on influenza or flu, the symptoms, treatments and related nutritional and herbal supplements.

The Flu Dr. Reddy - Michigan pediatrician offers general information on flu epidemics, symptoms, and vaccines. Read updates on the new Asian and Australian flus.

Mayo Clinic: Flu - A description of influenza, its symptoms, causes, complications, treatment and prevention.

Colds and Influenza - Compares the signs and symptoms of Influenza to the Common Cold.

Donnica Moore, M.D. - Compares and contrasts cold and flu symptoms.

Flu shots

Flu Shots for Children - Offers Influenza facts, flue shot facts, vaccine facts, who should get the flu shot, and Q&As about the vaccine.

RemindeXpress - Offers free timely reminders for immunizations, flu shots and important preventive medical tests and procedures via email, pager or cell phone.

Keep Kids Healthy - Discusses the benefits and risks of flu shots during your pregnancy.

Maxim Health Systems Find a Flu Shot Clinic - Locate flu shot clinics by zip code, area code, or state. Get information on who needs a flu shot and why its important for preventing complications. 

Influenza vaccine, flu shots, prevention - The Daily Apple   Flu vaccine, should you get a shot? - The Daily Apple

Flu Shots Recommended for Children With Asthma   Flu Shots Recommended for Children With Asthma

Flu Vaccine Facts - Getting Your Influenza Shot  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that people with diabetes get their influenza vaccine, or flu shots, as early as possible (ideally in October). More on flu shots here.

Women's Health Advisor 9.0: Flu Shots (Influenza Vaccine)   Women's Health Advisor 9.0: Flu Shots (Influenza Vaccine)

allRefer Health - Influenza Immunization (Vaccine): Immunization ...    Influenza Immunization (Vaccine) (Flu Shot Immunization, Flu Vaccine, Vaccine - Influenza) information center covers Immunization schedule .

The Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot)   The Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot)

Pregnancy and Flu Shots? - www.ezboard.com   Pregnancy and Flu Shots? - www.ezboard.com

Are your children getting FLU shots this year? - www.ezboard.com   Are your children getting FLU shots this year? - www.ezboard.com

Do Thyroid Patients Need a Flu Shot? -- The Influenza Vaccine and ...    Do Thyroid Patients Need a Flu Shot? -- The Influenza Vaccine and Thyroid Disease, a look at whether thyroid patients should get a flu shot, from Mary Shomon, your Thyroid Guide.

Flu shots for children   Flu shots for children

Influenza: Who Needs an Annual Flu Shot? - Peds Advisor    Influenza: Who Needs an Annual Flu Shot? - Peds Advisor - Boys Town Pediatrics.

CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Q A: Flu Shot   CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Flu Homepage.

children with DIABETES - Flu Shots   Children with Diabetes is the online community for parents, kids, adults, and families living with type 1 diabetes.

Influenza Information/ Who needs a flu shot?   Influenza Information/ Who needs a flu shot?

New evidence backs flu shots for healthy children   New evidence backs flu shots for healthy children.

The Truth About Flu Shots - Tips of the Month   advice to improve the way you feel about your body and yourself, so that you can live your life and do the best with what you have.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot (influenza vaccine)   Who Should Get a Flu Shot (influenza vaccine)

Clinician Reviews: Annual Flu Shots Help Ease Asthma in Children.   Clinician Reviews: Annual Flu Shots Help Ease Asthma in Children.

Jet: Expert Gives Advice On Children And Flu Shots.(Brief Article)   Jet: Expert Gives Advice On Children And Flu Shots.(Brief Article)

Flu Shots in Pregnancy - Keep Kids Healthy Pregnancy Guide   Pregnant women are considered to be a high risk group and it is recommended that they get a flu shot if they will be past their first trimester (>14 weeks of gestation) during flu season.

Importance of flu shots for infants and children   Importance of flu shots for infants and children.

Flu shots for children become more common   Flu shots for children become more common.

Flu shots help keep children out of hospital - smh.com.au   Parents should consider having babies and children immunised against flu if they wish to spare them the misery of its aches and pains and respiratory symptoms, an expert says. - The Sydney Morning Herald

Flu Shots During Pregnancy at StorkNet's Pregnancy Cubby   StorkNet's Pregnancy Cubby

Avoid Influenza and Pneumonia This Winter: Get Your Flu Shot   Avoid Influenza and Pneumonia This Winter: Get Your Flu Shot Today

Get your influenza shot before the flu bug gets you   Get your influenza shot before the flu bug gets you Get out a box of tissues, climb into your favorite pajamas.

Winn-Dixie Flu Shots - Influenza and Pneumonia Facts   Influenza and Pneumonia Facts.

Pediatric Advisor 11.0: Influenza: Who Needs an Annual Flu Shot?   Pediatric Advisor 11.0: Influenza: Who Needs an Annual Flu Shot?

Flu / influenza information

Influenza or as it is commonly known the flu is a contagious disease caused by an RNA virus of the orthomyxoviridae family. The name comes from the old medical belief in unfavourable astrological influences as the cause of the disease.

There are three types of the virus:

Influenza A viruses that infect mammals (humans, pigs, ferrets, horses) and birds

Influenza B viruses that infect only humans

Influenza C viruses that infect only humans

The A type of virus is the most virulent and causes epidemics and pandemics. Where a finer grained classification of the virus strain is needed, this is done by reference to the structural forms of two viral proteins (haemaglutinin and neuraminidase) that are essential to the virus' life cycle. Thus one might speak of H1N1 or H3N2 viral strains. The virus attacks the respiratory tract, is transmitted from person to person by droplets, and causes the following symptoms:

Fever

Headache

Tiredness (can be extreme)

Dry cough

Sore throat

Nasal congestion and sneezing

Body aches

Although a lot of people in the western world will often call a heavy cold "flu", you know when you have got real influenza as its effects are much more severe and last longer. Typically influenza takes about 1-2 weeks to recover from. Flu can be a killer disease, especially for the weak, old or chronically ill. Some flu pandemics have killed millions of people, for example the "Spanish Flu" pandemic of 1918-1919, which is believed to have killed more people in total than World War I.

Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu. Millions of people in the United States — about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents — will get influenza each year. An average of about 36,000 people per year in the United States die from influenza, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. People age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, and very young children are more likely to get complications from influenza. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu.

The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

Influenza is an extremely variable disease: similar viruses are found in pigs and domestic fowl. In areas where there are high concentrations of humans, pigs and birds in close proximity, such as parts of Asia, simultaneous infections across species enable genetic material to be exchanged between the various strains of flu. This appears to be the principal method by which new infectious strains arise. It is believed that sooner or later, a recombination may occur to produce a strain as lethal as the 1918 virus. In late 1997, a new strain of influenza originating from chickens infected 18 people in Hong Kong, of whom 6 died. This strain did not appear to be readily transmissible from human to human, but such a high mortality rate, and the possibility of a further recombination to make it more infectious, meant that the risk was considered so great that all domestic poultry in Hong Kong was slaughtered. As of April 2002, there have been no further human infections with this particular strain.

Prevention of flu

It is possible to get vaccinated against Influenza, however due to the high mutability of the virus the vaccine is usually only good for a year or so. The World Health Organization co-ordinates the contents of the vaccine each year to contain the most likely strains of the virus to attack the next year. The vaccine is usually recommended for anyone in a high-risk group who may suffer complications from a real flu attack.

The Myth of the " Stomach Flu "

Many people use the term " stomach flu " to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or “sick to your stomach” can sometimes be related to the flu — particularly in children — these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

Attribition: This informational article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Influenza.