Influenza is a common contagious disease with flu-like symptoms. Influenza is caused by a sphere or filament-shaped virus. The most problematic part of these viruses is that they keep on changing. Such mutated virus strains can adversely affect a person even though that person had immunity to another strain of the influenza virus. And the situations worsens if separate strains combine. Such a combination can be really fatal as the newly emerged virus gains in its immunity against the extant vaccines.

A person becomes rather weak during the bouts of influenza. The patient's immune system also fails to operate naturally. As a result, influenza can turn into another life threatening ailment known as pneumonia. In fact, annually approximately 25,000 American citizens die because of influenza or pneumonia. Medical reports have shown that people above the sexagenarian age group have been fatally affected by this twin disease. Influenza is an infectious and contagious ailment. Influenza is commonly termed as flu and also grippe. Influenza is usually acute. Influenza especially attacks the trachea, an important part of the respiratory tract.

The virus responsible for causing influenza has been classified into three types, viz., A, B and C. While A affects mankind and animals, B and C targets only human beings. Mentionably, the third type of influenza leads to only to mild infection.

Causes of influenza

A change in the virus RNA can cause mutation of the influenza viruses thereby producing new strains. This constant changing causes the virus to evade the immune system even if you taken shots and other precautions. A person is susceptible to influenza virus throughout his or her lifetime. Even though you have taken proper protection your body the antibodies in your body will not recognize the new strains of virus and you will become sick. People are susceptible to novel flu viruses such as bird flu and swine flu because the antibodies don't recognize them. Influenza vaccine dosages are constantly evolved to fight off these infections but by the time a person gets infected it's too late for the influenza vaccine dosages to work.

Diagnosis of influenza

Prior to diagnosing you with influenza, your doctor will perform a physical examination. He may ask you a number of questions to decipher whether it is respiratory problems that are bothering you or influenza. A fluid sample from the back of your nose is collected on a small cotton swab to check if the flu virus is present. The doctor will also ensure that you don't have any complications of the flu such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

What influenza treatments are available?

The first line of influenza defense begins at home. You must take proper rest, drink lots of fluids including water and fruit juices and avoid physical exertion at all costs. If you take prescription antiviral drugs, you may be able to resume your normal activities in a day of 2. However, if you have body temperature, you might need to rest longer. Drugs like amantadine and rimantadine are used for the influenza treatment of virus A. These drugs can reduce the duration of uncomplicated influenza.

It is possible to prevent influenza with simple good health habits. Here are a few tips to prevent influenza and keep the virus at bay:

Wash your hands with soap and water regularly

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Don't leave the house if you are sick and even stay away from others from preventing them getting sick

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Always dispose off your tissues at once to prevent others from getting sick