Defining And Understanding The Different Flu Terms
October 12th, 2008

Having the flu can be serious for many people. The human influenza virus is a virus that affects many humans annually, but it is usually not a fatal condition. On the other hand the avian flu virus, is a virus that has infected and killed many people around the world. There are many differences between these two flu viruses, as well as many flu terms. Most people are unaware of the many flu terms, and are often confused on exactly what forms of the flu can affect them. There are several flu terms all humans should know, which include seasonal flu (common flu), avian flu, and pandemic flu.

The seasonal flu is usually called the human influenza. Seasonal flu occurs on a yearly-basis, and millions of people are infected by seasonal flu. This form of the flu is not usually fatal to human beings, and is usually seen as natural occurrence like the common cold. The seasonal flu can be avoided by getting an annual flu shot, and most infected humans are cared for in their homes. This flu is usually cared for using antibiotics, common painkillers such as ibuprofen. Some common symptoms of the seasonal flu are high fever, muscle aches, respiratory problems, and diarrhea and vomiting. The seasonal flu usually subsides with four or five days of contraction. Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person-to-person. Most people have some immunity to seasonal flu, and are never infected with the illness.

The avian flu virus is a virus that occurs naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 is a deadly form of avian flu that can be transferred from domestic birds to humans. This flu virus can only be transmitted from bird to person; people cannot spread the disease to each other. The bird flu virus can be highly dangerous to its victims, and has killed many infected humans and millions of infected birds. Most humans that contract this disease require hospitalization and close monitoring. There is currently no vaccine for this disease, but it can be treated with antibiotics, and vaccines are in the making. Some of the symptoms of avian flu include eye infections and pneumonia, and there are many forms of this virus that cause different symptoms. The avian flu virus is much more dangerous than the seasonal flu virus, and can cause organ failure and severe respiratory problems. Humans are not yet immune to this virus, so they are highly susceptible to contracting the virus, and usually develop severe symptoms as a result of the virus.

Pandemic flu is a scary term for many people. Pandemic flu is a virulent human flu that can cause global outbreak, pandemic, or serious illnesses. Pandemic flu is usually a new type of influenza virus that humans have not yet been exposed, or have not been exposed to for a long time. Currently avian flu has the potential to become a flu pandemic, although it is not able to be spread from person to person yet. There is usually little natural immunity to pandemic flu, so the disease can spread easily and rapidly from person-to-person. A pandemic flu can mean the death of millions of human beings, and could have a vast global effect. Pandemic flu is much more serious than seasonal flu, and could mean death for many of the infected. A pandemic flu can also be deadly to people with chronic health conditions such as asthma and COPD. Avian flu is not yet a pandemic, and is currently not considered an incredible threat to humans. However, many nations are taking steps to fight a possible flu pandemic, and many scientists are working to develop a vaccine to prevent a pandemic.

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