It’s that time of year again – when our noses start to drain, our throats feel like we swallowed a golf ball, and our muscles feel like we aged 30 years. Yes, it’s flu season. And not only have I already seen a few patients trickle through with the seasonal flu, but I am also suffering from one right now as I sit down to write and record this episode (cough, cough). And since the flu season has officially begun, I thought now would be a good time to learn more about this nasty bug.
What is the Flu?
The flu is a virus (not bacteria!) that spreads mostly from person to person, and typically around the fall through spring months. There are various types, depending on the type of protein that the virus carries on its capsule, or outer covering. Here are the most common:
Influenza A: One type of seasonal flu that occurs in birds and some mammals.
Influenza B: Another type of seasonal flu that occurs mainly in mammals and seals.
Influenza C: A much rarer type of seasonal flu that can create local epidemics.
Avian Flu: Spread from birds to humans in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Swine Flu: Otherwise known as H1N1, it’s spread from pigs to humans in the U.S.
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The flu doesn’t typically have long term consequences in most people, and often resolves on its own. However, in rare cases, it can be fatal and causes 10,000 to 50,000 deaths a year. For that reason it’s important to prevent it from spreading as much as possible.
Symptoms of the Flu
Common symptoms of the flu include:
Fever
Body aches
Malaise
Headache
Fatigue
Dry cough
Less common symptoms of the flu (and more common in the common cold) are:
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Sneezing