Wellness Tips: Influenza
Learn how today’s wellness tip can help you fight influenza.
The Spanish Flu is one of the most famous pandemics. This pandemic occurred in 1918-1920. However, 20-25 million people died. This pandemic was caused by an influenza A H1N1 strain. Many health experts are worried that the avian flu that has affected many aquatic birds in other countries may eventually recombine with influenza B to create a deadly flu strain.
Each year approximately 36,000 deaths occur from influenza. About 114,000 people are hospitalized due to flu or flu related pneumonia. Ninety percent of those hospitalized are aged 65 and older. The flu and pneumonia are the 6th most common cause of death in the U.S.
Influenza is an infection of the respiratory tract. Many simply call it the “fluâ€. Influenza is highly contagious. The flu is transmitted by airborne droplets expelled by sneezing or coughing. Common symptoms are chills, fever up to 104°F, dry cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, sweating, sneezing, and malaise. Incubation of the flu is very short, ranging from 1 to 3 days.
The only way to prevent influenza is to be vaccinated. However, even vaccinations cannot prevent the flu. The vaccination is only as good as the strain used to create the vaccine. Try to keep yourself healthy. You can do this by taking a good liquid vitamin supplement.
by Kristy Haugen
