Apps with the new iPad and iPhone by Apple will allow you to get Charlotte Flu Information and News

Jan. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- Apps with the new iPad and iPhone by Apple will allow you to get Charlotte Flu Information and News.  Where to get flu shots, Flu Information, News and flu Clinics in Charlotte, NC.  Charlotte Flu will help you get through the rest of this flu season

How Well Do You Know the Flu?
Many of us have had the flu at least once in our lives, some much more than others, but not many of us know exactly what the flu is. Sure, we know that it causes us to miss school or work, and we know that it causes aches and pains, but why is that?

This section will discuss the flu, so you can learn why you get it, when you’re most likely to get it and how to tell when it’s not the flu at all, but a case of the common cold. And remember to always know your treatment and prevention options, so if it is the flu, you can be prepared.

What is the Flu?
The flu, more scientifically known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The influenza virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby.

In most communities, school-age children are the first age group to get the flu. They then carry it into their home and to places where they interact with other kids, such as after-school activities. The flu virus will usually be prominent during the fall and winter, the time of year typically known as “flu season.”

Some people, such as older adults, young children, and people with specific health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. In extreme cases, complications can lead to death. On average in the United States each year: 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Read more about the impact of the flu.

How to Know If You Have the Flu
While it’s pretty normal to mistake the flu for another ailment such as a cold or just “feeling under the weather,” it’s important to know the difference — because if it’s the flu, the sooner you can get help from your doctor, the better.

If you’re not sure it’s the flu you have, keep these things in mind. Flu symptoms generally appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to the virus. The onset of symptoms often seems sudden: people describe the feeling “like they’ve been hit by a truck.” Flu symptoms can be mild or severe — and if they’re mild can become severe without much notice. Be aware of your body and monitor your body temperature.

The common symptoms of the flu include:

» Fever (usually high)
» Headache
» Muscle aches
» Chills
» Extreme tiredness
» Dry cough
» Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
» Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults


You don’t need to experience all of these symptoms to have the flu. If you have one or two, it’s recommended that you see your doctor. We’ve prepared a list of helpful questions to ask your doctor to help you make the most of your visit.

And, of course, sometimes the symptoms you’re experiencing are simply signs of a cold. To get a better understanding of the differences between the cold and flu, see Cold or the Flu?

TYPES OF INFLUENZA
Different Types of the Flu
The first flu virus was identified in the 1930s (although the flu has probably existed for centuries). Since then, scientists have classified influenza viruses into 3 types, creatively named
A, B, and C.

» Influenza Type A is the most common and also the scariest of the three influenzas, causing the most serious epidemics in history.
» Influenza Type B flu outbreaks also can cause epidemics, but the disease it produces generally is milder than that caused by type A.
» Influenza Type C flu viruses, on the other hand, have never been connected with a large epidemic, usually just causing mild respiratory infections similar to the common cold.
How You Get the Flu
Remember when mom told you to cover your mouth when you cough? She was right. Flu viruses spread in droplets caused by coughing or sneezing. Basically the virus needs to pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth.

In addition to being in striking distance from that sneezing and coughing coworker, if you’ve touched a contaminated surface like a telephone or a door knob the viruses can pass from your hands to your nose or mouth. And the risk of infection gets even greater in highly populated areas like schools, buses and crowded living conditions. Remember when mom said to wash your hands? Well, mom knew what she was talking about.

There are ways to help treat and prevent the flu. That’s why it’s important to always know your treatment and prevention options, so if you come in contact with the flu, you can be prepared.

Complications of the Flu
A possible complication of flu is bacterial pneumonia, which can occur in lungs weakened by the flu. Pneumonia can also be caused by the flu virus itself. Complications usually appear after you start feeling better. You may have a brief period of improvement, followed by a sudden onset of the following symptoms:

» High fever
» Shaking chills
» Chest pain with each breath
» Coughing that produces thick, yellowish-green-colored mucus
Bacterial pneumonia can be a very serious and sometimes life-threatening condition; therefore, if you or a family member experiences any of these symptoms, you should speak to your healthcare provider immediately.

Flu Complications in Children and Teens
Reye’s syndrome, a condition that affects the nerves, sometimes develops in children and teenagers who are recovering from the flu. The syndrome often begins in young people after they take aspirin to get rid of fever or pain. Reye’s syndrome begins with nausea and vomiting, and can lead to mental symptoms such as confusion or delirium.

Although very few children develop Reye’s syndrome, you should consult a healthcare provider before giving aspirin or products that contain aspirin to children. Acetaminophen does not seem to be connected with Reye’s syndrome.

Other complications of the flu that can affect children are:

» Convulsions caused by fever
» Croup
» Ear infections
Learn how viruses differ from bacteria.

VIRUS vs. BACTERIA
Antibiotics have virtually no effect on viruses, as viruses and bacteria are two uniquely different organisms that many people lump in the same infectious boat. As a result, too often, bacteria-fighting antibiotics are taken to treat viruses such as colds and even influenza. Not only do antibiotics fail to treat those diseases, but misusing them has contributed to an important public health problem: antibiotic resistance. Some bacterial diseases that were once easily cured by antibiotics have become resistant to treatment.

Virus – A virus is a capsule of protein that contains genetic material. A virus cannot reproduce on its own; it must infect a living cell to grow. The cold and the flu are both respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses — and it’s often hard to distinguish between the two. Learn how to tell the difference between a cold and the flu.

Bacteria – Bacteria are one-celled organisms that live on their own. They can multiply and reproduce by subdivision. Learn why antibiotics cannot cure the flu.

COLD OR THE FLU?
How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu
The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different types of viruses. Flu symptoms usually come on quickly (within 3-6 hours) and consist of a fever, body aches, dry cough, and extreme tiredness. Cold symptoms are less severe and people experience a stuffy nose, productive cough, slight tiredness, and limited body aches.

http://www.charlotteflu.com

# # #

High Power Marketing in Charlotte
8440 Read Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-905-8275
803-396-0537
Email: keith@charlottemarketingfirms.com
Website: http://www.charlottemarketingfirms.com