Types of Flu

The more you know about the flu, will be better able to defend yourself and your family from a close encounter with one of the viruses stranger than scientists have ever discovered. The flu is viral, not bacterial. So antibiotics will not help much. The best way is prevention. Unfortunately, it is easy to catch the flu virus. Much smaller than bacteria remain on the surfaces that touch people living with or in the air until hours after the patient has coughed. A virus is a tiny packet of deception. Once introduced respiratory tract, binds to epithelial cells, penetrates in them and deceives the reproductive system of the cell to copy it per million. Finally, make copies that the cell bursts, and then spread to other cells, which produce millions more viruses. After a few days, the disease has spread throughout the body.

The first symptoms of colds and flu may be similar: sneezing and constipated. But if the flu, other symptoms appear suddenly: high temperature, fatigue, dry cough and aches and pains. Children also often have diarrhea, dehydration and nausea. Despite these symptoms, the flu virus usually only kill the cells lining the nose and throat. If it becomes lethal because of complications such as pneumonia. The flu virus also destroys the cilia, thin filaments like hairs that line the airways, making it difficult to expel mucus in the body. Cilia and mucus favoring dead the growth of bacteria in the throat, which can release then deadly toxins in the bloodstream.

"Often the flu causes fever," said Dr. Paul Glezen, Center for Research on Influenza, in Houston. "But if it persists After three days, it is possible that an infection is developing secondary and must consult the doctor. "

What makes it so sneaky to influenza is its ability to migrate as a genetic Gypsy not only from one country to another but also of a kind to another. Scientists believe the flu virus originated probably in birds. Today they can infect many other animals warm-blooded, including dogs, cats, pigs and cattle. One is not spread from bird dog or cat. But in the eighteenth century and nineteenth century doctors found that people and horses developed often similar symptoms, especially cough and high temperature. Researchers now know that the genetic code of the virus Equine influenza has been transformed into that of human influenza virus, and have found traces of animal viruses in other types of flu.

There are three varieties of human influenza. Type C is mild, and generally it merges with the common cold. The type B can be lethal, but as its genetic code changes only through a slow mutation tends to attack more strongly to children who have not yet acquired immunity by previous outbreaks. The type A causes serious epidemics, it has a tremendous capacity to mutate in the overnight, turning in a completely different virus and thus evading the defenses of the system human immune. Most viruses have a genetic code that only cells attacked and deceived just to double. But the genetic code influenza A is separated into eight different segments. During the flu season, the body is often invaded by more than one type virus and two type A viruses can mix different segments genetic each other like two decks of cards. The cell attacked then produces viruses that are genetically different from their "parents". These combinations similar to sex can occur even between viruses from two different animal species.

At the end of each flu season, the World Health Organization (WHO) is studying the species found in sick patients and dying. It is the first step in a global effort to define what kind of vaccine will be able to protect against strains of the disease in the next season. WHO continues to be our front line against a catastrophe, because, unlike almost all other diseases, avian always has the potential to be explosive. In 1918, for example, appeared suddenly a new kind of flu, and within months, infected to half the human race. Killing more than 20 million people. The good news is that you can tilt the odds in your favor to beat the flu if he acts wisely. The wisest course is to get vaccinated. It is true that the vaccine may have an efficiency of only 70 percent. But even still get the flu, it is likely to more lightly, because the body was assembled and ready to fight.

Among those who should avoid the flu vaccine are the allergic to eggs, because they are used to cultivate viruses compose the shot. Also, according to some experts believe, should avoid those suffering acute fevers. It is generally assumed that the flu vaccine carries no risk and is recommended for pregnant women, but some experts advise against using during most of the first quarter. A young, healthy people will not hurt them vaccinated, say medical authorities, especially if they have suffered severe attacks of influenza in previous years.

Even if a loved one is often reluctant to get vaccinated, there are simple tactics to strengthen the circle of immunity of his family. Stop smoking; smokers have more severe cases of influenza than nonsmokers, and aspiring cigarette smoke of others can get more number of respiratory diseases. Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes and nose, the flu is contracted and spread easily by this means. Also, cover your mouth with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing to prevent the invisible clouds of charged droplets virus is spread by your home or workplace. If you get a cold light, can lie in bed and give yourself at least one week to recover. Do not drive in 1985, researchers Britons found that 57 percent flu reduces the speed reaction.

How to know if a light flu is becoming dangerous? If fever persists, if the cough becomes dry cough with phlegm, or if the temperature rises after dropping, is likely to have been initiated bacterial infection. Antibiotics can stop these infections secondary and lifesaving. When in doubt, consult your doctor. Unlike many other diseases, the flu can be prevented, but few take steps to protect ourselves. Be one of those intelligent people and healthy.