Essay On Influenza

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Influenza

The word influenza originated from Italy people thought that the planet, stars, and moon caused the flu; they believed that powerful forces created unexpected sickness. The flu is contagious and effects breathing primarily infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu varies in the degree of severity and at worst can lead to death. The flu is transmitted through the air via droplets, people spread through talking, sneezing and coughing. The Flu can be through touching an infected area such as door handles, keyboards, or cell phones. Also another way to transmit the disease is through birds or deceased birds infected with the virus. There are 3 different types of flu viruses A, B or C. A is more infections then B. C is associated with H3N2 and B with H1N1. There is another version of the flu called the avian influenza, which comes from birds usually spread through deceased birds or excrement. The Flu viruses are evolving if you had the flu in the past or had immunization your body has built immunity to that particular strain but you can still infected. In most cases the flu you had before can’t prevent you from the new viruses.
According to the CDC, 5 to 20 percent of the populations are infected in the United States. The CDC also reported that 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu and 36,000 people die from flu complications each year. Most people that die from are over the age of 65. The risk factors for influenza are as follows age, occupation, living conditions, weakened immune system, chronic illnesses, chronic illnesses, and pregnancy. Generally kids and people over 65 are infected with influenza; however the H1N1 virus affected mostly teenagers and young adults. People who work in hospitals, nurs...

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...itals. Alternative treatments exist such as garlic, Echinacea, goldenseal, cat’s claw, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, tomato juice, ginger, vitamin C, and Chamomile tea.
Most people recover from the flu in about one to two weeks, but in some case people can develop pneumonia. The flu can have a deadly effect on people with emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, heart disease and heart failure. Primarily infection control is done in hospitals for influenza the spread is amongst the Health care staff, patients and visitors. Prevent measure are as follows administration of influenza vaccine, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, managing the sick health care professionals, infection control procedures, and environmental control measures. These practices need to be implemented by organizations and policies have to be followed by staff the effectiveness determines the outcome.

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