Essay About Influenza Viruses And Healthy People

Influenza Vaccination
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Influenza (flu) vaccination is an effective tool for preventing
Hospitalization and death among persons aged 18-64 years with medical
Conditions that increase the risk for influenza -related complications.
National health objectives for 2010 are to increase influenza vaccination for
those who have one or more high -risk conditions.
Influenza also called “the flu” is a contagious illness caused by
Influenza viruses. It is a seasonal illness in temperate zones that generally
appears during cold weather months. Influenza (flu) develops when a flu
virus infects your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial
tubes, and possibly the lungs. Although influenza viruses undergo constant
variation, the general nature of the resulting disease has remained quite
similar over the years.
Every year in the United States on average of 5% to 20% of the
population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu
complications and about 36,000 people die from flu. Influenza usually
comes on suddenly, with a rapid escalation in severity. Anyone can get the
virus (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen
at (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at
any age. Anyone exposed to the virus can become infected and can be easily
spread among people in groups, such as in nursing homes, hospitals,
shelters, schools, and day cares. Most people who get influenza will recover
in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening
complications as a result of the flu. The risk of developing severe symptoms
and complications is higher in people age 65 years and older, people of any
age with chronic medical conditions, and children younger than 4 years of
age. Complications of flu can include pneumonia, bronchitis, worsening of
chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, and sinus and ear
infections in children. A person can spread the flu starting one day before he
or she feels sick. They usually spread from person to person, though
sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses
on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Some persons can be infected,
but have no symptoms. Symptoms develop one to four days after being
infected. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before
you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although, the main
spreading of the virus is known to be in respiratory droplets of coughs and
sneezes called “droplet spread.” Symptoms of the flu include: fever (usually
high), runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, extreme tiredness,
stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur
but are more common in children than adults, dry cough, and sore throat. In
most healthy people influenza will go away in seven to ten days. The worst
symptoms usually last three to four days. You can help prevent
influenza (flu) by getting immunized with an influenza vaccine each year,
ideally in October or November. This is because the effectiveness of this
vaccine ideally lasts for five months. Each year, the influenza vaccine is
reformulated to contain representatives of the predominant influenza viruses
circulating throughout the world. This form of vaccine effectively prevents
most cases of the flu, although success rates vary according to age and
health status. Even if a flu shot does not prevent the flu, the vaccine can
reduce the severity of flu symptoms and decrease the risk of complications.
Studies have shown that the flu shot results in fewer days missed