Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. The most familiar aspect of the flu is the way it can "knock you off your feet" as it sweeps through entire communities.
The flu differs in several ways from the common cold, a respiratory infection also caused by viruses. For example, people with colds rarely get fevers or headaches or suffer from the extreme exhaustion that flu viruses cause.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 10 to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu, and children frequently spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from the illness, CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications every year.

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Influenza, commonly known as the 'flu, is an infectious disease that infec ...
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From the WEST  scientific·clinical

From the EAST  traditional·alternative

Every year a batch of vaccines are prepared from the previous years flu strains and people (mainly in high risk groups like the young, elderly, or those with compromised immune systems) are innoculated with the hope that the outbreaks in the new year are close enough to the prior that the vaccines are effective.

Eastern treatments for the flu are generally more preventative in nature. Good nutrition and general health keep one far less vulnerable to infection. There are herbal remedies that help with symptoms, and Traditional Chinese Medicine has some Acupressure and Acupunture protocols that are used to treat influenza.

Related Other Topics

Influenza Symptoms

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Signs and symptoms
... The flu virus attacks your respiratory system. This leads to the symptoms you commonly experience with the flu. Some signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat, may initially s...
Source: MayoClinic

Causes
... You''re exposed to the flu when someone who''s infected with the influenza virus coughs or sneezes, or you touch something they''ve handled. That''s why the flu spreads rapidly anywhere people congreg...
Source: MayoClinic

Influenza Prevention

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Prevention
... To help prevent any illness, eat right, get enough sleep, exercise regularly and wash your hands often. In the case of influenza, you can also protect yourself by getting a flu vaccine each fall. Flu ...
Source: MayoClinic

Influenza Treatment

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Complications
... If you''re young and healthy, influenza is usually just a moderately severe illness. Although you may feel completely miserable while you have it, flu usually goes away with no lasting effects. But if...
Source: MayoClinic

Treatment
... Unless you''re at risk of complications from influenza, your doctor may suggest nothing more than bed rest, plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, and over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophe...
Source: MayoClinic

Influenza Other

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What to do About the Flu
... Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu, a highly contagious infection. It spreads easily from person to person mainly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu - the short name for i...
Source: Cleveland Clinic

Overview
... At least 20 million people, including 500,000 U.S. citizens, died in the 1918 influenza pandemic. Today, as many as 36,000 Americans continue to die each year of what''s commonly known as the flu, and...
Source: MayoClinic

Influenza Treatment

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Treating Flu with Acupressure
... Cold/Flu Acupressure for Flu About a dozen different acupressure points provide relief from flu symptoms. Using your fingertips, apply steady penetrating pressure to each point for 3 minutes. Bladder ...
Source: Holistic Online

Treating Flu with Aromatherapy
... Cold/Flu Aromatherapy for Flu/Colds Several oils have considerable anti- viral activity, and help to boost the immune system. For maximum effectiveness, it is important that you use them at the earlie...
Source: Holistic Online

Influenza Medication

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Treating Flu with Herbal Medicine
... Cold/Flu Herbal Medicine for Flu/Colds "I haven't had a cold in four years thanks to garlic, echinacea, astragalus and goldenseal." Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Co...
Source: Holistic Online

Influenza Other

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Treating Flu with Juice Therapy
... Cold/Flu Juice Therapy Apple and dark grape juices are often recommended for those fighting the flu. They have properties that work against congestion and runny nose. Dark grape juice is rich in tanni...
Source: Holistic Online

Treating Flu with Nutrition
... Cold/Flu Nutrition for Flu/Colds Diet If you don't feel like eating, do not force yourself. For a day or two, consume only liquids-water, juices, teas, and soups. Digesting liquids requires a lot ...
Source: Holistic Online

   

Influenza Articles

  • Flu
    ... Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. The most familiar aspect of the flu is the way it can "knock you off your feet" as it sweeps through entire communitie...
  • Flu Drugs
    ... Four drugs are available to treat and/or prevent influenza. They are amantadine and rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir. In 1976, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved amantadine to both...
  • Influenza
    ... Influenza is caused by infection with either influenza A or B viruses. Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes on the basis of two surface antigens: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidas...
  • The Common Cold
    ... Sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose-everyone knows the first signs of a cold, probably the most common illness known. Although the common cold is usually mild, with symptoms lasting 1 to 2 weeks, it...