This is caused by a influenza virus which is a RNA virus that are seen in humans

Orthomyxoviruses are a grouping of viruses where a few make up the terminiology “The Flu”

1.)  Influenza A Virus
   -    Found in humans
   -    Typically the cause virus for pandemic deaths

2.)  Influenza B Virus

    -    Affects humans and seals
    -    Usually does not cause a pandemics

3.)  Influenza C Virus

    -    Rare when compared to A & B
    -    Can be severe and is seen in epidemics
    -    Vaccines are not done against type C

4.)  Isavirus

    -    Is a viral disease of Atlantic Salmon
    -    Does not cause human flu

5.)  Thogotovirus

    -    Is found in ticks in Europe and Africa
    -    Does not cause human flu
    -    Can cause sickness and encephalitis in humans though

Catagories

1.)  Epidemics

   -    Occurs when new cases of a disease are seen in a population
   -    The strains are often slightly different than the previous year
   -    Regarding the flu – occurs every year
   -    Death still occurs – but not as widespread and severe as Pandemic

2.)  Pandemic

   -    This is a defination of a flu virus strain that affects a large portion of the human population
   -    Is is seen throughout the world
   -    The most serious in recent history occured in 1918
   -    Many people die as a result of the virus
   -    In 1918 over 50 million people were killed as a result of the virus

Vaccinations:

The yearly vaccine typically has antibodies and surface glycoproteins from a combination
of the strains of these viruses
     -  is referred to as the trivalent influenza vaccine  (TIV)
     -  it carries no risk of transmitting the disease
     -  a vaccine for one year willl often not protect you the following year
     -  some people become sick following their injection but it is not “from the injection”

Symptoms:

      -    Fever
      -    Chills
      -    Fatigue
      -    Headache
      -    Cough
      -    Congestion
      -    Sore Throat
      -    Night sweats
      -    Nausea
      -    Vomiting
      -    Muscle pains
      -    Dyspnea
      -    Shortness of breath
      -    Can lead to pneumonia

Results
 
  -    Every year approximately 36,000 deaths are attributed to the flu
  -    Almost ten times that amount are hospitalized

Subtypes

  -    Each set of viruses also has additional subtypes
  -    Subtypes refer to slight differences in structure or genome

Influenza A

    -  H1N1  -  Caused Spanish Flu and also similar to Swine flu of 2009
    -  H2N2  -   Asian Flu
    -  H3N2  -   Hong Kong Flu
    -  H5N1  -   Bird Flu
    -  H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N3 and others

Influenza B

    -   Has several strains

Influenza C

    -   Has several strains

Other Flu

  -    Avian Flu
  -    Dog Flu
  -    Swine Flu
  -    Horse Flu

Concerns
 
  -  Changes or mutations of viruses can cause a virus that is typically seen in an
animal that may start to affect humans

Examples include:

   -   Avian Flu  -  1999, 2003
   -   Spanish Flu    -   Swine Flu  -  1918, 2009
   -   Asian Flu  - Avian Flu  -   1957-1958
   -   Hong Kong Flu   -  Swine Flu -  1968 – 1969

Prevention

    -   Limit touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
   -    Cover mouth when sneezing
   -    Wash hands often
   -    Influenza vaccination
   -    Limit contact to those who are sic
   -    If you become sick – limit your contact with others

Treatment

    -     Influenza is a virus and antibiotics won’t help
    -     Treat symptoms
    -     Plenty of sleep
    -     Increase fluid consumption

 Medications

    -     Cough Syrup
    -     Tylenol for fever
.                    Amantadine   [Symmetrel]    -  for influenza Type A
.                    Rimantadine   [Flumadine]   -   for influenza Type B

When to go to see a medical profession or the Hospital

     -   Guidelines often vary
    -    When having an extreme temperature 104 or above
    -    Temperature of 102 for 3 plus days 
    -    Becomes increasingly difficult to breath
     -   When dehydration is worse