Influenza

Influenza sed by certain strains of myxoviruses contain the inf e virus enters a healthy person's body when the person breathes in these inf uenza, or flu as it is commonly known, is cau viruses attack the respiratory tract. Influenza, or flu as it is commonly known, is cau en an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets produced ected droplets. ymptoms Fever (101°-104°F), shivering, cough, sneezing, weakness, headache and m ach es are common to influenza caused by all strains of the virus Control There is no specific medicine for influenza. Aspirin, bed rest and plenty of fluidg provide relief. Prevention One can avoid catching the flu by keeping away from an infected person. Vaccines are available for specific types of influenza, but they are effective only against specific strains of the virus, and that too for a period of about one year. Scientists find it difficult to develop vaccine that will provide general protection against influenza because of two reasons. First because it is difficult to produce a vaccine that is effective against all strains of virus causing influenza. Second, because these viruses mutate (change in nature) very rapidly, making vaccine developed against a particular virus ineffective after a year or two