Welcome to the Flu Advice Guide
Flu is a kind of viral fever which is also known as influenza. It is an infectious disease which is commonly found in humans. This disease mostly affects the lungs especially the upper airways. This disease is caused by RNA germ which is also known as the flu virus. There is a difference between influenza, stomach flu and common cold as they are not only caused by different viruses but stomach flu is in fact gastroenteritis which is also known as the twenty four hour flu which is totally different from influenza.
Influenza or flu is a seasonal disease which often spreads as an epidemic and if not treated properly can become fatal and lead to death. Another type of flu that is very dangerous and spreads like an epidemic is the avian flu which in common terms is known as bird flu.
The word flu has originated from Italy in the 15th century when this disease was believed to be caused by the unfavorable influences that developed due to the astrological changes. Bird flu was also discovered in Italy in 1900. Bird flu is caused by a virus called H5N1.
Flu Outbreaks
The flu Outbreak takes place suddenly and mostly occurs in the fall season or in the beginning or ending of the winter season. It can also occur during the changing seasons like from summer season to the rainy season and from winter season to summer season. The disease can spread through the whole community which can lead to an epidemic as it is a contagious disease which can easily spread through indirect contact like using or touching the things that has been used by a person suffering from influenza.
It can also spread through direct contact with a person who is suffering from flu. The intense period of the epidemic is nearly three weeks after which it starts subsiding and vanishes totally within another three to four weeks. More than seventy percent of people are affected during a flu epidemic as it easily spreads in crowded areas like schools, public places, gymnasiums, swimming pools and other such places.