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Respiratory Diseases - Diseases of the Human Respiratory System

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Influenza

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Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an acute, contagious, respiratory tract infection, which is caused by one of the influenza viruses. The severity of influenza symptoms depends on the type of influenza virus, and the age and health of the patient. Influenza may produce no symptoms, mild-to severe symptoms, or fatal illness.


The common cold and influenza share many symptoms. However, colds are more likely to cause sneezing and a stuffy nose, while influenza is characterized by fever, coughs and muscle aches. Flu symptoms also develop rather suddenly, and are more severe. A person with influenza may experience chills, moderate to high fever (101o F to 103o) sore throat, runny nose, muscle and headaches, fatigue, cough, diarrhoea and dizziness.

The specific type of influenza is determined by the type of influenza virus (A, B, or C) that is causing the illness. Types A and B influenza viruses are responsible for epidemics that occur especially in winter.

Type C influenza does not cause epidemics, and it usually produces only a mild infection. Persons with Type C influenza may, or may not, display and symptoms. Over time, influenza viruses constantly change, by mutation. Mutations cause subtle alterations in the influenza virus that allow it to evade the human body's immune defences formed from previous influenza encounters. This helps to explain why individuals are susceptible to recurring bouts of influenza throughout life.

Although the influenza virus primarily affects the respiratory system, it may also affect the musculoskeletal, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. The doctor conducts blood tests, sputum cultures or chest X-rays to determine whether you have influenza or not. Patients infected with the flu may have symptoms ranging from up to 24 hours to two weeks.

Individuals who are at a high risk for influenza should receive the influenza vaccine every year. It is 90 per cent effective in helping healthy persons under age 65 avoid or lessen the severity of influenza. Those at high risk include people who are 65 plus, people suffering form chronic illnesses of the heart, lung, or kidneys, diabetics and people with severe forms of anaemia. Those who are suffering from illnesses that lower immune defences are at great risk, too. During epidemics, physicians can prescribe antibiotics to high-risk individuals which will lessen the chance of them acquiring influenza. Frequent hand washing helps to do away with the influenza virus, which is often spread through direct contact.

Two prescription antiviral drugs, rimantadine and amantadine are available to stop the influenza virus A from replicating in the body. These medications usually lessen the severity and duration of an influenza infection, but only if they are administered within the first 48 hours of illness. You must seek medical attention promptly if your fever or cough worsens; you are coughing up blood or thick, foul-smelling mucus; you have chest pain or shortness of breath; you develop an earache.

Although most patients recover fully from the flu, some develop serious, potentially life-threatening complications.

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If you have a question about health related issues, you can now post it in our Ask An Expert section on our community website Medwonders.com and get answers from our panel of experts.
Posted by:  Campbell(Guest)  Posted on: 11/14/2012
I AM SHORT OF BREATH AND HAVE HAD THIS SINCE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ULCERATED COLITIS.ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. I GAVE UP SMOKING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 YEARS BEFORE I GOT COLITIS. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AT TIMES AND THAT SURELY DOESN'T HELP.I PLAY TENNIS BUT FIND THAT REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF MY BREATHLESSNESS. PLEASE CAN SOME ONE HELP ME.


Posted by:  healthyheartpoet  Posted on: 02/18/2013
My nephew suffered with ulcerative colitus fo 10 years. He cured himself in 3 months with a product called "Aloe Vera Elite" you can order it online; from the desk of the Healthyheartpoet




Posted by:  Aneesa(Guest)  Posted on: 01/30/2012
You people are just sad



Posted by:  sing.song-17(Guest)  Posted on: 01/22/2012
How many different respiratory conditions are there??!!!



Posted by:  saher_ahmad(Guest)  Posted on: 11/26/2011
i love reading about different respiratory diseases because its my subject and i need more information to increase my knowledge and to be expert of what i like



Posted by:  Bailey11(Guest)  Posted on: 04/22/2010
thats not funny! it's a real virus!


Posted by:  jkjhjihuihuih(Guest)  Posted on: 11/29/2011
what the hell are you talking about?



Posted by:  twilight(Guest)  Posted on: 11/07/2012
about the respiratory system!




Posted by:  Meiscool(Guest)  Posted on: 10/29/2009
I am in 3 grade and i like reading about the cold. I had 4 colds in the last year and i think i was die, but i am all better now and my nose does not look like rodolf anymore. and when i wake up their is no more snot on my pillow.


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 11/25/2009
wow



Posted by:  darthroti  Posted on: 01/27/2012
Your not funny.




Posted by:  Suzanney(Guest)  Posted on: 08/06/2009
Hey guys,

Just a quick tip from a uni student. Don't forget that while you're looking for good info about respiratory diseases, consider this: 'Is this site prepared by academic or medical staff?'

Suzanne


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 01/09/2010
Don't be a bitch Suzanne



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 01/14/2010
That a very dumb thing for u to say it must fit ur personality huh;



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 04/04/2010
hahahah - that just made my day...



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 05/02/2010
i think Suzanne madam is right



Posted by:  Suzanney(Guest)  Posted on: 05/02/2010
I'm only here with good intentions. Take it or leave it =]



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 05/18/2010
that`s mean. don`t say that to anyone again.




Posted by:  Young_DBZ(Guest)  Posted on: 05/29/2009
I to am a 7th grade student that suffers from asthma. I usually have asthma attacks in the winter, but just in case i bring a inhaler with me at ALL TIMES. i was diagnosed with astma in the third or fourth grade once my parents split up. learning more and more about asthma is fun and at the same time interesting. learning new things is exciting. especially if you can relate to it. currently at this time i havent had a asthma attack for several months, but who knows it just might sneak up on me. ;]



Posted by:  Allyssa95(Guest)  Posted on: 05/24/2009
I love reading about different respiratory problems because i have to suffer with asthma myself. I am in 7th grade and i am doing a project on the body systems and we were able to chose between eight different systems and i chose respiratory system. I never new how many diseases there are out there until i started researching and now im attached on learning more about it and i hope that other people relize how dangerous asthma can really be. Many people tease me about it when i end up using my inhaler. so i just wanted to get that out there. I hope to read more and more about this.


Posted by:  Young_DBZ(Guest)  Posted on: 05/29/2009
Hey! looks like we have something in common about that asthma thing.Do you have severe asthma and more frequent attacks or just occasional.




Posted by:  Bailey11(Guest)  Posted on: 04/19/2009
What if you are born with RSV(Respitory System Virus)? What should you do?


Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 07/25/2009
i think you shoukd just consult a doctor and ask for instructions, as what you should do...



Posted by:  guest  Posted on: 08/06/2010
dont mind your rvs




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