11 Common Questions About Influenza Disease

What is influenza?

The flu is a viral infection that affects your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is a common term for influenza; however, it is not the same as stomach “flu” viruses that cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

What are the causes of influenza?

• Influenza viruses invade the nose, throat, and lungs, causing the flu. These viruses spread when persons with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk, releasing virus droplets into the air and perhaps into the mouths or nostrils of those around. 
• You can also catch the flu by touching a surface or object contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your own mouth, eyes, or nose.
• You can spread the flu before you realise, you’re sick, starting one day before symptoms appear and lasting up to five to seven days after becoming ill. 
• Some persons, particularly small children and those with compromised immune systems, may be able to infect others for an extended period of time.

Does the Coronavirus represent a new strain of influenza?

Influenza (the flu) and COVID-19, the pandemic coronavirus-caused sickness, are both contagious respiratory disorders that damage your lungs and breathing and can be shared to others. Despite the fact that the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar, the two illnesses are caused by distinct viruses.

What are the effects of influenza on kids?

• It is characterised by a high fever, bodily aches, a cough, and other symptoms.

• Most children only have the flu for a few days. However, some children have more serious illnesses and may require hospitalisation. The flu can potentially cause pneumonia (lung infection) or death.
• Acetaminophen, cough medications, and antiviral medication can all be used to treat the flu. Your child will also require a lot of rest and plenty of drinks. Definitely go and consult a paediatrician doctor.
• The yearly flu vaccine is the most effective approach to avoid flu. Because viruses evolve, experts develop a new flu vaccination each year to help defend against current strains of the virus. The immunisation is recommended for all children aged 6 months and up.

Are influenza vaccines necessary every year?

Every year, a flu vaccine is required for two reasons. 

• To begin, because a person’s immune protection from immunisation diminishes over time.
• An annual flu vaccine is required for best protection.

Does a mosquito transmit influenza?

No, mosquito does not transmit influenza rather flu is transmitted by humans sneezing and touching infected. 

In what country did influenza originate?

Influenza could be seen spreading from Army camp to Army camp, then into cities and going with troops to Europe. In 1918, influenza became a pandemic. 

Influenza is caused by which virus?

Human influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of sickness (known as flu season) in the United States practically every winter. The only influenza viruses known to generate pandemics, or global outbreaks of flu sickness, are influenza A viruses.

What makes pandemic influenza different from seasonal influenza?

Seasonal influenza is caused by the already circulating human influenza A and B viruses, and a vaccine for this already existing virus is being produced. Because pandemic flu is a new form of virus, a seasonal flu vaccine is ineffective in treating it.

Is influenza contagious?

You may be able to convey the flu to someone else both before and while you are unwell. People who have the flu are most contagious during the first 3-4 days of their illness.

What is worse, influenza type A or influenza type B?

Type A influenza is generally considered worse than type B influenza. This is because the symptoms are often more severe in type A influenza than in type B influenza. Type A influenza is more common than type B influenza. Researchers suggest that most adults have considerable immunity against type B influenza.