Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an
infectious disease that affects
birds and
mammals caused by
RNA viruses of the
family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). The name influenza comes from the
Italian: influenza, meaning "influence", (
Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are
chills and
fever,
pharyngitis,
muscle pains, severe
headache,
coughing,
weakness and
general discomfort. In more serious cases, influenza
causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly. Although it is often confused with the
common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza can produce
nausea and
vomiting, especially in children, but these symptoms are more characteristic of the unrelated
gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".Typically, influenza is transmitted from infected mammals through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating
aerosols containing the virus, and from infected birds through their
droppings. Influenza can also be transmitted by
saliva,
nasal secretions,
feces and
blood. Infections also occur through contact with these body fluids or with contaminated surfaces. Flu viruses can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at 0
°C (32
°F), and for much longer periods at very low temperatures. Most influenza strains can be inactivated easily by
disinfectants and
detergents People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using
alcohol and
tobacco and, if necessary, take medications such as
paracetamol (acetaminophen) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Children and teenagers with f
lu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking
aspirin during an influenza infection (especially
influenza type B), because doing so can lead to
Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease of the
liver. Since influenza is caused by a virus,
antibiotics have no effect on the infection; unless prescribed for
secondary infections such as
bacterial pneumonia, they may lead to resistant bacteria. Antiviral medication is sometimes effective, but viruses can develop resistance to the standard antiviral drugs.The two classes of anti-virals are neuraminidase inhibitors and M2 inhibitors (
adamantane derivatives). Neuraminidase inhibitors are currently preferred for flu virus infections. The CDC recommended against using M2 inhibitors during the 2005–06 influenza season.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease that affects birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning "influence", (Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are chills and fever, pharyngitis, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly. Although it is often confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza can produce nausea and vomiting, especially in children, but these symptoms are more characteristic of the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".Typically, influenza is transmitted from infected mammals through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus, and from infected birds through their droppings. Influenza can also be transmitted by saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. Infections also occur through contact with these body fluids or with contaminated surfaces. Flu viruses can remain infectious for about one week at human body temperature, over 30 days at 0 °C (32 °F), and for much longer periods at very low temperatures. Most influenza strains can be inactivated easily by disinfectants and detergents People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco and, if necessary, take medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking aspirin during an influenza infection (especially influenza type B), because doing so can lead to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease of the liver. Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no effect on the infection; unless prescribed for secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia, they may lead to resistant bacteria. Antiviral medication is sometimes effective, but viruses can develop resistance to the standard antiviral drugs.The two classes of anti-virals are neuraminidase inhibitors and M2 inhibitors (adamantane derivatives). Neuraminidase inhibitors are currently preferred for flu virus infections. The CDC recommended against using M2 inhibitors during the 2005–06 influenza season. 
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