FLU
Flu vaccinations have become an annual event in most developed countries, yet the flu continues to affect tens of millions of people each year and causes 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. So, what's wrong? Is the flu virus smarter than us?
Flu is hard to diagnose early on because flu-like symptoms are associated with many other diseases aside from the seasonal flu making it difficult for doctors to diagnose the illness just based on the overt symptoms plus the flu is very contagious, but more importantly influenza viruses can change with time, like many viruses, thus producing new strains each season.
However, most people including public health agencies still believe the ultimate preventive measure for the flu is annual vaccination, despite the ongoing controversy that surrounds vaccinations in general.
But, flu vaccines have their own issues, even more so now since the Swine flu pandemic of 2010. Like all pharmacological agents, flu shots can have side effects and more importantly they are not as effective as once thought. Some studies indicate that they are less than 50% effective!
Even if you get the flu vaccine and take everyday preventive action you can still be unlucky and get the flu...it's one of the smartest viruses known to man!
Flu, The Smart VirusFlu vaccinations have become an annual event in most developed countries, yet the flu continues to affect tens of millions of people each year and causes 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. So, what's wrong? Is the flu virus smarter than us?
FLU.govFlu.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. Government seasonal, H1N1 (swine), H5N1 (bird), H3N2, and pandemic flu information. Flu.gov aims to educate and guide.
MedicalEcology.orgInfluenza is a major cause of sickness and death around the world and is one of the most important infectious diseases confronting the world today. Combined with pneumonia, influenza is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States. Even though most of its victims are elderly, pneumonia-influenza is one of the top-ten leading infectious conditions listed as causing years of potential life lost by the Centers for Disease Control.
Faces of InfluenzaThe American Lung Associations Faces of Influenza campaign is designed to put a "face" on influenza, a potentially deadly disease, and urge vaccination every year.
Flu TrendsWe've found that certain search terms are good indicators of flu activity. Google Flu Trends uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity in your state up to two weeks faster than traditional systems.
FluFACTSLearn about the options for you and your loved ones and discover ways to stay healthy all year round.
HealthMap HealthMap brings together disparate data sources to achieve a unified and comprehensive view of the current global state of infectious diseases and their effect on human and animal health. This freely available Web site integrates outbreak data of varying reliability, ranging from news sources (such as Google News) to curated personal accounts (such as ProMED) to validated official alerts (such as World Health Organization).
Influenza 1918 In September of 1918, soldiers at an army base near Boston suddenly began to die. The cause of death was identified as influenza, but it was unlike any strain ever seen. As the killer virus spread across the country, hospitals overfilled, death carts roamed the streets and helpless city officials dug mass graves. It was the worst epidemic in American history, killing over 600,000--until it disappeared as mysteriously as it had begun.
The Influenza Sequence DatabaseThe Influenza Sequence Database contains all published influenza viral sequences, which have been curated by domain experts to ensure high standards of accuracy and completeness.
WHO | Pandemic (H1N1) 2009WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Information on this page tracks the evolving situation and provides access to both technical guidelines and information useful for the general public.
CDC | 2009 H1N1 FluSwine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.
CDC | Seasonal InfluenzaInfluenza (the flu) is serious. Each year in the United States, on average:
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications;
36,000 people die from flu.
CIDRAPPandemic Influenza latest news
Get Your Flu VaccineInfluenza, commonly called "the flu," is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Compared with most viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza infection often causes a more severe illness.
Immunization Action Coalition The Immunization Action Coalition works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services.
Influenza ReportA medical textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of influenza
KidsHealthThe flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.
Kimball's Biology Pages Influenza is a viral infection of the lungs characterized by fever, cough, and severe muscle aches. In the elderly and infirm, it is a major cause of disability and death (often as a result of secondary infection of the lungs by bacteria).
MayoClinic.comMayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness.
Medical News TodayThe latest Flu News & Cold News & SARS News articles published daily. Includes news on influenza, the flu vaccine, pandemic preparedness, treatment options and current research.
MedicineNet.comInfluenza, commonly called "the flu," is an illness caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza (flu) infection often causes a more severe illness with a mortality rate (death rate) of about 0.1% of people who are infected with the virus.
MedinfoInfluenza is a virus which causes a severe form of respiratory tract infection with generalised bodily symptoms. It spreads around the world in epidemics and is responsible for much ill health as well as many deaths.
New York State Department of HealthThe flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
The Deadly VirusWorld War I claimed an estimated 16 million lives. The influenza epidemic that swept the world in 1918 killed an estimated 50 million people. One fifth of the world's population was attacked by this deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.
TopixNews on Influenza continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
WHO Mission of WHO is to
contribute to reducing death and disease due to annual influenza epidemics and
prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
Wikipedia | 2009 flu pandemicThe 2009 outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) virus is a pandemic of a new strain of influenza virus identified in April 2009, commonly referred to as "swine flu." Although the source of the outbreak in humans is still unknown, cases were first discovered in the U.S. and officials soon suspected a link between those incidents and an earlier outbreak of late-season flu cases in Mexico.
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