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How They Spread And How To Stop Them
Every winter sees the outbreak of the flu and other connected problems around the world and many people are affected. The Flu is easily communicated through sneezing or coughing. The Flu virus spreads through the infected air that is breathed out by the infected persons. The flu has a continuous and recurring history as a life-threatening problem. Many strains of flu are observed almost through out the year all in different parts of the world. A fear of future flu pandemic lurks around the corner every year as the seasons change because the virus changes fast and frequently. In one year nearly 20 m cases of flu were reported in the USA alone. Finally the strain ran its course taking the lives of millions of people around the world during its run.
Flu shot or influenza vaccination may not in reality be very effective and successful in fighting the endemic. Foreseeing the behavior of the virus strain in the particular season and how it changes in the coming season develops a flu immunization vaccine basically. In times of endemic spread the needs of the old and the young are prioritized. The best way to avoid catching it is by visiting the local clinic and the physician at the first sign of catching it. Influenza occurs in the late fall and the winter seasons in the USA and also during the monsoon months in the Asian countries.
- How They Spread: Flu is spread by air that is breathed out by the infected persons that is from an ill person to other people generally through coughing and sneezing. Dust and dirt accumulated on the surfaces of often and regularly used items like doorknobs, computer keyboards and such other things can carry the germs.
- Animals such as pigs, horses and birds can become ill with their own influenza virus. Pigs have spread their influenza viruses (known as ‘swine flu’) to people. The droppings of chicken and fowls can carry the virus producing germs.
- How To Stop Them: Affected persons should stay home; cover the mouth and the nose while coughing or sneezing. They should wash hands frequently, use disposable tissues and dispose off them immediately.
- A safe vaccine is available to avoid the attack of influenza. Because fast and frequently the vaccine is changed every season to suit the necessity and the vaccine is necessary every season.
- In the case of an outbreak of the endemic it is better to destroy all the affected birds and the poultry to stop further spread of the virus.
- Frequent cleaning and disinfecting the farms and areas around the residential places with proper and effective germicides and also fogging can act as a preventive to the spread of the disease.
- Children need to be cautioned regarding the precautionary measures to be taken in case of the attack.
Though scientific investigations and experiments world wide are going in full swing, in view of the virus strain changing frequently, thus posing a problem of inventing a separate virus for each season, in order to effectively prevent fatality, still the effective vaccine for all seasons still remains a distant dream. However, taking the precautions as advised during the most important seasons which are already identified, could drastically reduce the risk of humans catching it, as the old saying goes ‘Prevention is better than Cure’. A total eradication of the flu virus and finding an effective vaccine is the only way to save mankind and the animals alike.