Influenza

A viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and occasionally, lungs.

The flu; an infectious viral respiratory disease characterised by chills, fever, prostration, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, and a dry cough.

An acute and highly contagious disease caused by viruses that infect mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

An infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus and characterized by headache, fever, chills, gastrointestinal disturbances, and muscular aches and pains.

An infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract with fever and muscular aches, which is transmitted by a virus and can occur in epidemics.

Acute, contagious, virus-caused infection of the respiratory tract; symptoms usually begin suddenly and include fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and malaise, and often signs of the common cold (watery eyes, runny nose). Treatment is symptomatic and includes rest, pain relievers, and fever reducers, and increased fluid intake. The disease usually subsides within a week; complications (e.g., bacterial pneumonia) usually affect only the very young, the old, or those weakened by another abnormal condition. Several strains of the virus have been identified, and new strains emerge at intervals, often named for the geographic region in which they are first discovered (e.g., Asian flu). Medications are now available which, if given early, may reduce the severity of illness. Also called flu; grippe.

A viral infection of the respiratory tract with symptoms that include fever, headache, sore throat, chills, cough, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Influenza is generally mild, but may affect the elderly or chronically ill more severely. The disease may occasionally become very virulent and spread as an epidemic across a large geographic area, country, or continent.

An acute, contagious infection caused by a virus that primarily affects the respiratory tract, but may also affect the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Influenza, which is also called flu, occurs in outbreaks with variable severity in the United States, usually during the winter months. Infection with an influenza virus does not give a person lasting immunity, so people are susceptible to episodes of influenza throughout their lives. A person with influenza may experience some or all of the following symptoms: moderate to high fever (temperature between 101°F and 103°F; chills; sore throat; cough; runny nose; general aching in the muscles; headache; loss of appetite; fatigue and weakness; diarrhea; burning of the eyes; and dizziness. If there is fever, it generally subsides within 2 or 3 days. Symptoms may last only 24 hours or as long as 2 weeks. Influenza is contagious as long as the person has symptoms.

A highly contagious virus infection that affects the respiratory system. The viruses are transmitted by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms commence after an incubation period of 1-4 days and include headache, fever, loss of appetite, weakness, and general aches and pains. They may continue for about a week. After bed rest and aspirin most patients recover, but a secondary infection of the lungs is a common serious complication. An infection, and immunization too, provide protection only against the specific strain of virus concerned.

Influenza is an acute infectious disease, characterized by a sudden onset, fever and generalized aches and pains. It usually occurs in epidemics and pandemics.

An acute contagious respiratory infection marked by fevers, chills, muscle aches, headache, prostration, runny nose, watering eyes, cough, and sore throat. The disease usually strikes during the winter. In patients with serious pre-existing illnesses (such as diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, heart disease or renal failure) and people over 65, influenza frequently is fatal. The disease spreads primarily by inhalation of infectious aerosols, although spread by direct personal contact also is possible. Epidemics or pandemics arise intermittently around the world during periods of viral evolution; in the winter of 1918 to 1919, an influenza pandemic claimed 20 million victims. Sporadic cases occur each year in the U.S., where the disease’ is responsible for an average of 36,000 deaths annually.

Popularly referred to as the flu, influenza is an infectious illness affecting birds and mammals, caused by viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family, known as influenza viruses. The typical symptoms of this disease include experiencing chills, followed by fever, a sore throat, muscle aches, intense headache, coughing, weakness, and a general sense of illness.

Commonly referred to as the “flu,” influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract (air passages). It spreads through infected droplets released during coughing or sneezing. Influenza typically occurs in small outbreaks or periodically in epidemics every few years.

Influenza viruses are classified into three main types: A, B, and C. If a person experiences an attack caused by the type C virus, they develop antibodies that confer lifelong immunity against type C. On the other hand, infection with a strain of type A or B virus provides immunity only to that specific strain. However, both type A and B viruses have the ability to undergo changes and create new strains. Type A has been responsible for pandemics, leading to disease outbreaks affecting millions of people in the last century.

Influenza types A and B result in typical flu symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and weakness. Conversely, type C causes a mild illness that is similar to a common cold and is often indistinguishable from it.

In most cases, the flu resolves completely within 7-10 days. However, there are rare instances where it can take a severe form, leading to acute pneumonia that may become fatal within just a day or two, even in otherwise healthy young adults.