Family Health Issues and Education Site

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Welcome to the Family Health Issues and Education Site.

On this site we address many topics that will help you learn about different types of health issues as well as everyday family problems. Learn how to deal with some of these issues and get back on track with life.

We list all of our topics to the left hand side in categories. If you see a topic that you are interested in, just click on the link and you will be able to read that information. We will be continually adding resources to this site, so be sure to check back often.

Worried about catching the flu or swine flu? Want to learn some ways to prevent flu? Then read on to learn more about flu -- what flu is, how flu is spread, and who's at greatest risk for getting flu. Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing flu -- and we want you and your family members to stay well!

What is flu?

Influenza, commonly shortened to "flu," is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

What's the difference between a cold and flu?

The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract. Although the symptoms can be similar, flu is much worse. A cold may drag you down a bit, but the flu can make you shudder at the very thought of getting out of bed.

Congestion, sore throat, and sneezing are common with colds. Both cold and flu bring coughing, headache, and chest discomfort. With the flu, though, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and have headache, myalgia, fatigue, and weakness. Usually, complications from colds are relatively minor, but a severe case of flu can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia.

More than 100 types of cold viruses are known, and new strains of flu evolve every few years. Since both diseases are viral, antibiotics cannot conquer cold or flu. Remember: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

A few antiviral medications are available to treat flu. But there are no medications that specifically defeat the common cold. Antibiotics may be helpful if there is a secondary bacterial infection.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Flu Treatment.

How are stomach flu and influenza different?

"Stomach flu" is a popular term but not a true medical diagnosis. It's not uncommon to mistake gastroenteritis, which is what stomach flu is, for the viral infection we commonly call "flu." Gastroenteritis refers to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). A virus, bacteria, parasites in spoiled food or in unclean water, or another agent can cause stomach flu. With gastroenteritis, you will have symptoms such as abdominal cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

Symptoms of flu are similar to a cold except flu symptoms are much worse with fatigue, fever, headache, and respiratory congestion. Flu symptoms come on so abruptly that you may know the exact time you first came down with flu.

How is flu spread?

The flu virus is spread from person to person through respiratory secretions and typically sweeps through large groups of people who spend time in close contact, such as in daycare facilities, school classrooms, college dormitories, military barracks, offices, and nursing homes.

Flu is spread when you inhale droplets in the air that contain the flu virus, make direct contact with respiratory secretions through sharing drinks or utensils, or handle items contaminated by an infected person. In the latter case, the flu virus on your skin infects you when you touch or rub your eyes, nose, or mouth. That's why frequent and thorough hand washing is a key way to limit the spread of influenza. Flu symptoms start to develop from one to four days after infection with the virus.

Who's at greatest risk for flu complications?

While anyone can get flu, infants, the elderly, and people with chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and HIV/AIDS are at highest risk for flu complications. Despite advances in flu prevention and treatment, influenza and its complications are still fatal to about 36,000 people in the United States each year.

Specific strains of flu can be prevented by a flu vaccine, either a flu shot or FluMist (a nasal spray). In addition, flu antiviral medications are available to prevent flu. Some of these medications may also reduce the severity and the duration of flu if started within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Flu Complications.

Are there different types of flu viruses?

Researchers divide flu viruses into three general categories: types A, B and C. All three types can mutate, or change into new strains, and type A influenza mutates often, yielding new strains of the virus every few years. This means that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza. Even if you develop antibodies against a flu virus one year, those antibodies are unlikely to protect you against a new strain of the flu virus the next year.

Type A mutations are responsible for major flu epidemics every few years. Type B is less common and generally results in milder cases of flu. However, major flu epidemics can occur with type B every three to five years.

Type C causes infection but does not cause typical flu symptoms. Both influenza A and B have been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication that usually affects children and teens under 18. Widespread outbreaks of Reye's syndrome have occurred with influenza type B and also with chickenpox, but other viruses have been implicated. The risk of Reye's syndrome is increased when taking aspirin, so children should not take aspirin during a viral illness such as cold or flu.

Most influenza viruses that infect humans seem to originate in parts of Asia, where close contact between livestock and people creates a hospitable environment for mutation and transmission of viruses. Swine, or pigs, can catch both avian (meaning from birds, such as poultry) and human forms of a virus and act as hosts for these different viral strains to meet and mutate into new forms. The swine then infect people with the new form of the virus in the same way in which people infect each other -- by transmitting viruses through droplets in the air that people breathe in.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Types of Flu.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease that normally occurs in pigs, but a new strain of swine flu called the 2009 H1N1 virus has recently spread worldwide. This virus can spread from person to person in the same way as the seasonal flu spreads. You can't catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Swine flu causes symptoms similar to those of the human flu, but some people who are infected develop vomiting and diarrhea and more severe symptoms, such as pneumonia or respiratory failure. 

The seasonal flu vaccine is not effective against swine flu, but antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) can help prevent disease and treat it so symptoms clear up more quickly. You can avoid getting sick by washing your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, staying away from people who appear to be sick, and not touching your nose or mouth.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Swine Flu FAQ.

What is avian or bird flu?

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. Bird flu epidemics have occurred worldwide. The recent spread of bird flu has been localized to certain parts of Asia.

Bird flu is a leading contender to be the next pandemic flu bug because it has caused an unprecedented epidemic in poultry and wild birds across Asia and Eastern Europe. Still, no one knows for sure whether this will cause the next human flu pandemic.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's Understanding Avian or Bird Flu.

Resource: WebMD.com