Influenza

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Influenza is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Most people commonly refer to it as "the flu" and many people mistakenly believe that it is nothing more than a severe type of cold. While influenza symptoms can range from mild to severe, the flu still kills a significant number of people annually. The World Health Organization recommends the people receive an annual vaccination against influenza, a flu shot, in order to provide protection against the likeliest strains.

Influenza spreads around the world annually, and there are numerous strains, resulting in the need to receive a new flu shot every year. On average, influenza kills upwards of 500,000 people annually around the globe, but has also produced three major pandemics during the 20th century, which resulted in more than a million deaths each. The most famous influenza pandemic was the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which infected more than 500 million people.

Influenza symptoms include the following:

• A fever and chills
• A persistent cough
• Nasal congestion
• A runny nose
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Headaches

In its earliest stages, it may be difficult to distinguish between influenza and a cold, but the onset of a fever and extreme fatigue are the general indicators of the more serious flu. Treatment generally consists of rest, drinking fluids, and taking over the counter medications, such as acetaminophen for the fever and pain.