2008 Woodie Awards
The Flu
Gavi Nadel
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: Science & Technology
- Page 1 of 1
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. There are three types of flu viruses referred to as Type A, Type B, and Type C. Type A is the worst of the three in that it is potentially dangerous as far as what symptoms may occur. This one can produce a very high fever, far more congestion, and can reach epidemic proportions in the community.
The flu differs from the common cold by causing a fever and creating extreme lethargy. Each year approximately ten to twenty percent of the American population comes down with the flu during flu season, which spans from November to March. The Center for Disease Control estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year. Flu outbreaks occur rapidly and can seize about half of the population in the community it affects. The outbreak usually peaks at about four weeks and then subsides after another four. Often outbreaks occur in schools because of the close proximity of the pupils with each other. You can get the flu if someone around you who has the flu coughs or contaminates a surface. The viruses can also pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth.
The best way to prevent the flu is to obtain a flu vaccine, which can be administered by health officials. Last year there was a shortage of the flu vaccine, which was due to numerous reasons. A major reason is the fact that there are relatively few manufacturers in the vaccine business. It's also difficult to make vaccines; from start to finish, a particular batch of a given vaccine requires roughly a year of production time. Unlike most drugs, vaccines are produced from living cells and organisms. Also, some batches of vaccines were found to be contaminated and could not be used. All of these reasons in combination led to a serious shortage.
Fighting the flu is difficult because it is viral and therefore antibiotics don't help. The best way to fight the flu is to prevent getting it by washing your hands frequently, particularly during the flu season. The use of paper cups and even paper towels can alleviate passing the virus on to others, and thereby prevent not only others from becoming infected by those who have had the flu but also prevent those who are getting over it from becoming re-infected. Some ways to keep an immune system strong is by eating a well-balanced healthy diet. Also, adding a good vitamin/antioxidant supplement such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E will help build and sustain a strong immune system. Once sick, plenty of fluids, particularly soup, and preferably chicken soup help as well. Another option is Tamiflu, which effectively reduce the severity and the duration of the illness in those who contracted influenza A and B strains. To be effective, however, they must be taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs of symptoms. Unfortunately, the bottom line is still that there is no magic cure. The flu needs to run its course, and lots of rest is the best bet.
The flu differs from the common cold by causing a fever and creating extreme lethargy. Each year approximately ten to twenty percent of the American population comes down with the flu during flu season, which spans from November to March. The Center for Disease Control estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year. Flu outbreaks occur rapidly and can seize about half of the population in the community it affects. The outbreak usually peaks at about four weeks and then subsides after another four. Often outbreaks occur in schools because of the close proximity of the pupils with each other. You can get the flu if someone around you who has the flu coughs or contaminates a surface. The viruses can also pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth.
The best way to prevent the flu is to obtain a flu vaccine, which can be administered by health officials. Last year there was a shortage of the flu vaccine, which was due to numerous reasons. A major reason is the fact that there are relatively few manufacturers in the vaccine business. It's also difficult to make vaccines; from start to finish, a particular batch of a given vaccine requires roughly a year of production time. Unlike most drugs, vaccines are produced from living cells and organisms. Also, some batches of vaccines were found to be contaminated and could not be used. All of these reasons in combination led to a serious shortage.
Fighting the flu is difficult because it is viral and therefore antibiotics don't help. The best way to fight the flu is to prevent getting it by washing your hands frequently, particularly during the flu season. The use of paper cups and even paper towels can alleviate passing the virus on to others, and thereby prevent not only others from becoming infected by those who have had the flu but also prevent those who are getting over it from becoming re-infected. Some ways to keep an immune system strong is by eating a well-balanced healthy diet. Also, adding a good vitamin/antioxidant supplement such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E will help build and sustain a strong immune system. Once sick, plenty of fluids, particularly soup, and preferably chicken soup help as well. Another option is Tamiflu, which effectively reduce the severity and the duration of the illness in those who contracted influenza A and B strains. To be effective, however, they must be taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first signs of symptoms. Unfortunately, the bottom line is still that there is no magic cure. The flu needs to run its course, and lots of rest is the best bet.