Flu History and Prevention

With catching the flu at least once in my life encountered, it is not surprising, because of the disease - one of the most common infectious diseases that can lead to massive outbreaks and even epidemics almost every year. Therefore, it is important to know the "enemy entity": how it is dangerous, both from its defense and the best way for it to move.
Why is it so common? Why annually around the world a huge number of adults and children suffer from this ubiquitous disease that can lead to serious complications?
The virus of influenza is extremely volatile. Every year, new subspecies (strains) of the virus, with which our immune system has not yet met and therefore, cannot easily handle. That is why the vaccine against the disease does not provide 100% protection - there is always the chance of a new mutation of the virus.
History
Influenza has been known to mankind for centuries. The first documented epidemic occurred in 1580. It is true, then nothing was known about the nature of the disease.
The pandemic of respiratory infection in 1918, 1920gg, which captured the globe, and was called "Spanish flu" most likely was nothing more than a severe epidemic of influenza. It is known that the Hispanic mortality differed incredible - lightning lead to pneumonia and pulmonary edema, even in young patients.
Reliably viral nature of flu is set in England only in 1933, Smith, Andrews and Laidlaw, singled out a specific virus effecting primarily in the airways of the lungs of hamsters infected with washout from the nasopharynx of patients and designated them as the influenza virus A. 1940godu Francis and Madge opened the influenza virus B, and in 1947, Taylor committed another new variant of the virus type C.
Since 1940, the opportunity to actively explore the influenza virus and its properties - the virus began to grow in chicken embryos. Since then, the study of disease was a major step forward - was discovered ability to mutate, and identified all the areas of virus capable of variation. Important finding, of course, was to create a vaccine.
What is influenza
Influenza - an acute viral disease that can infect the upper and lower respiratory tract, accompanied by pronounced intoxication and can lead to serious complications and deaths - mostly in the elderly and children.
Flu and colds - close to one another disease - and the way of infection, and major manifestations, but this is not the same thing. The disease causes much greater intoxication, often runs hard and leads to various complications.
Infection with influenza
The source of infection is a patient man. Viruses are distinguished with saliva, sputum, nasal discharge - coughing and sneezing. Viruses can get on the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes or upper respiratory tract directly from the air, in close contact with the sick person, and can settle on surfaces and then exposed to mucous membranes or through the hands when using shared with the patient hygiene.
The virus enters the mucous of the upper respiratory tract (nose, pharynx, larynx or trachea) enters the cell and begins to actively replicate. Just a few hours the virus affects almost the entire mucosa of the upper respiratory tract infections. The virus is "love" is lining the respiratory tract, and cannot infect other organs. It is therefore wrong to apply the term "intestinal flu" - disease cannot infect the intestinal mucosa. Most often, what is called intestinal flu - fever, intoxication, accompanied by diarrhea - is a viral gastroenteritis.
Not precisely determined, due to some protective mechanism stops the virus from replicating and recovery occurs. Typically, after 2-5 days the virus is no longer released to the environment, i.e. when a sick person ceases to be dangerous.
Who suffers the most from the flu
The most susceptible people with weakened immune systems:
• Children under 2 years old, because their immune system is formed inconclusive
Persons suffering from a variety of immunodeficient states: congenital immunodeficiency or
HIV
• Older people
Who carries heavier flu
• Persons suffering from chronic diseases with cardiovascular disease: especially congenital and acquired heart disease (especially mitral stenosis).
• Persons suffering from chronic lung disease (including asthma).
• Patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Patients with chronic kidney disease and blood.
• Pregnant women.
• Elderly people over 65 years, since in most cases they have a chronic illness in varying degrees.
• Children under 2 years of age and persons suffering from immunodeficiency, also at high risk for complications of influenza.
Now you have an idea of the dangers of the flu, and some of the history behind how it is fought off to keep your body safe and healthy.