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A significant effect of H5N1 has been personal fear concerning the unknown, even by those most in-the-know. Dr. David Nabarro, chief avian flu coordinator for the United Nations, describes himself as "quite scared"; says avian flu has too many unanswered questions; and if the disease starts spreading to humans, borders will close, airports will ...
Influenza may progress to pneumonia from the virus or a subsequent bacterial infection. Other complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and worsening of pre-existing health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Affluenza describes the psychological and social effects of affluence. It is a portmanteau of affluence and influenza , and is used most commonly by critics of consumerism . Some psychologists consider it to be a pseudo-scientific term, [ 1 ] however the word continues to be used in scientific literature.
Influenza-like illness (ILI), also known as flu-like syndrome or flu-like symptoms, is a medical diagnosis of possible influenza or other illness causing a set of common symptoms. These include fever, shivering , chills , malaise , dry cough , loss of appetite , body aches, nausea , and sneezing typically in connection with a sudden onset of ...
Flu viruses can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at 0 °C (32 °F), and indefinitely at very low temperatures (such as lakes in northeast Siberia). Most influenza strains can be inactivated easily by disinfectants and detergents. [10] [11] [12] Flu spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics.
Influenza viruses are members of the family Orthomyxoviridae. [2] Influenza viruses A, B, C, and D represent the four antigenic types of influenza viruses. [3] Of the four antigenic types, influenza A virus is the most severe, influenza B virus is less severe but can still cause outbreaks, and influenza C virus is usually only associated with minor symptoms.
Influenza viruses A and B are estimated to have diverged from a single ancestor around 4,000 years ago, while the ancestor of influenza viruses A and B and the ancestor of influenza virus C are estimated to have diverged from a common ancestor around 8,000 years ago. [40] Outbreaks of influenza-like disease can be found throughout recorded history.
Reasonably effective ways to reduce the transmission of influenza include good personal health and hygiene habits such as: not touching your eyes, nose or mouth; [6] frequent hand washing (with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand rubs); [6] eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; [16] covering coughs and sneezes; avoiding close contact with sick people; and staying home yourself if ...