Flu
Flu is a term used to refer to a number of different versions of the influenza virus. Despite the variation in name (be it swine flu, bird flu, etc.), flu symptoms tend to be all the same: fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and fatigue.
Flu season normally starts in late fall and lasts until early spring. The best ways to prevent catching the flu are basic ways to stop the spread of germs: cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze with a tissue, wash your hands often with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand rub and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
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Seasonal flu vaccines are also available. These vaccines will protect against the three most common strains of the virus for that season, and are strongly encouraged for healthcare workers, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic health problems.
If you do contract the flu, follow your doctor’s orders. Staying home and away from others is recommended for at least a day after the fever breaks. A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to treat the illness. The sooner you receive the medication, the sooner you will start to feel better.
If you are caring for someone with the flu, avoid face-to-face contact or use a facemask to protect yourself, clean your hands after touching a sick person or handling their used tissues or laundry and speak to your doctor are getting a vaccine or preventive antiviral medication.
For more information, visit the CDC’s Web page about the flu and Flu.gov.
Articles about Flu
Tue, May 22 2012 at 12:40 PM EST
Could H1N1 have a bright side? New research leads to encouraging steps forward in the fight against flu.Wed, May 02 2012 at 1:03 PM EST
While the scientists managed to concoct ways for the virus to spread, none of their mutations proved particularly lethal.Sun, Apr 29 2012 at 1:37 PM EST
The approval for publication came only after a panel of U.S. science and security experts decided two similar papers could be published in the U.S. journal Science.Tue, Apr 03 2012 at 1:47 AM EST
Panel reverses its decision on whether controversial bird flu studies could be published.Fri, Mar 30 2012 at 5:37 PM EST
A panel of experts said 2 papers on a mutant bird flu should be published after all, reversing its earlier decision to withhold key details.Tue, Mar 06 2012 at 8:55 AM EST
While there are levels of safety when conducting dangerous research, fears about an accidental release surround safety measures.Mon, Feb 27 2012 at 3:09 PM EST
Bats' global presence and ability to fly long distances make them ideal for spreading viruses, but scientists aren't sure they're much of a threat yet.Thu, Feb 23 2012 at 5:02 PM EST
The current strains of the flu are not showing any resistance to vaccines so far.Thu, Feb 23 2012 at 2:20 PM EST
The study of past bird flu infection studies cannot come to conclusions about the virus's threat without looking at whole populations.Wed, Feb 15 2012 at 2:06 PM EST
The inflammation caused by the flu can leave brains cell vulnerable, especially if a person regularly contracts the flu.- 1. Solar Storm
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