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Influenza

Dictionary Definition: An acute infectious viral disease characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract, fever, muscular pain and irritation in the intestinal tract. Also called "flu", "grippe". [Italian, influence, hence "intangible visitation", epidemic (specially the European epidemic of influenza of 1743), from Medieval Latin influentia, INFLUENCE]. [Ref-READER’S DIGEST UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY].

Origin: The word finds its origin in the 15th century Italy. The scientific development being low and due to dependence more on supernatural elements the cause for the epidemic was ascribed to the unfavorable influences of the solar system on human lives. Later medical studies attributed the cause to the cold weather conditions when the spread and occurrence was wide and rapid. The meaning of the word as originally coined is influence that is the influence of the stars. This belief never stood any scientific reasoning. The meaning as it was accepted later and even to this day can of course relate t o its original meaning, as the disease influences and spreads wide and fast from one person to other or spreads to whoever comes into contact with the affected person.

According to hypocrites the first strain of influenza was identified in 412 B.C. The pandemic broke out in 1580. The virus was found to have undergone various mutations and shifts and every endemic has found a new mutation and combination of the virus, that gives rise to different and unknown symptoms that accompany influenza

Symptoms: Symptoms start around 24 to 48 hours after the infection sets in and the symptoms are sudden. It usually starts with pain in the legs fatigue, and a mild cold accompanied by irritation and burning sensation in the eyes. Medication and mild paracetamol pills available over the counter may only mitigate the symptoms but are found to be of no big help as a complete cure.

The over the counter medication is found helpful for some of the individual symptoms like body aches, head ache, relief from sore throat and nausea, but unless the main cause is treated with proper diagnosis and the required amount of antibiotics the complete cure is not possible. The symptomatic and temporary relief only lessens the overall suffering.

The virus infection spreads through the saliva drops that are come out of the affected person when talking to others, or when coughing and also sneezing and blowing of the nose in the presence of others can spread the virus.

The prominent symptoms include a continuous fever from 102 degrees to103 degrees F, accompanied by acute body pains, cough, chills, weakness in the limbs, headache, irritation, burning, reddening and watering of the eyes, nasal congestion loss of appetite, indigestion, reddening caused by ulceration or blisters in the mouth, throat and on the tongue, a continuous running nose, painful joints, sneezing, nausea, and over all suffering. All the symptoms may not be present at the same time or some of the symptoms may be recurrent and some times some of the symptoms may not reveal themselves. But high fever accompanied by cold, cough and one or two of the above mentioned symptoms are proof enough to diagnose influenza.

Influenza by itself can be very agonizing and painful but need not necessarily be life threatening, but can be so for the weak, old, chronically ill, and for people are just recuperating form some illness or a surgery, when the inbuilt resistance is at a very low and the energy to with stand the onslaught of any additional inconvenience, leave alone influenza.