Common+Flu

= __Influenza (Common Flu) __ = By Jeremy lam 9.2

Scientific - Influenza Common - Common Flu
 * 1) Scientific name and Common name **

It is caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae that affects the respiratory system of many birds and mammals. You can get the flu if someone around you who has the flu coughs or sneezes. You can also get the flu simply by touching a surface that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has the flu, which then passes from your hands to your mouth or nose. The viruses can pass through the air and can enter your body through your nose or mouth.
 * 2) What causes it? How is it transmitted? **

**3) What are the symptoms? How long do they last? Is it deadly?** Symptoms are chills, fever, headache, coughing, muscle aches, runny nose and fatigue. The symptoms last around 4 days to 10 days depending how you rest and recover. The mortality rate is about 0.1% of the people who are infected with the virus.

People with the flu are advised to get a lot of rest, drink lots of liquids, avoid alcohol and tobacco and, if needed, take medications such as paracetamol to lessen the fever and muscle aches caused by the flu.
 * 4) Can it be cured? If so, how? If not, is there any way that we can at least treat it? **

__Sources:__ WebMD (2011) WebMD Flu Guide - Better Information for Better Health. Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/default.htm Wikipedia Organisation, (2011). Influenza - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza MedicineNet, Inc (2011) Flu Symptoms, Influenza Vaccine Side Effects, Causes and Virus Types by MedicineNet.com Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://www.medicinenet.com/influenza/article.htm Selfhelparticles.net (2011) How Long Does The Flu Last in Adults and Children? Retrieved August 19, 2011 from http://www.selfhelparticles.net/how-long-does-the-flu-last-in-adults-and-children/ MIStupid (2011) Flu Facts. Retrieved August 20, 2011 from http://mistupid.com/health/flufacts.htm