Influenza
	Original article written in February 2008 for MileHive.

What

Influenza, the flu, is a virus that causes a respiratory illness. It does not cause stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) and it is not caused by Haemophilius influenzae, a bacterium. Several strains of the flu virus are known, the most common being influenza A subtypes, which circulate in both humans and animals, as well as influenza B types, which circulate mainly in humans. But there is also a C type virus.

Strains
	The strains of type A virus are categorized based on the surface proteins. Known as hemagglutinins (H) and neuraminidases (N). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are 16 H types and 9 N types. The most common A types that circulate each flu season are H1N1 and H3N2. Though they occur in many variations and change each year.

Symptoms and Treatment

You may have the flu if you are coughing, have a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, fever, fatigue, and sore muscles. Antibiotics DO NOT help the flu. It has to take its course. Lots of rest, fluids, and chicken soup are recommended at-home remedies. Health care facilities request that people with cold and flu not come to them unless there is a spiking fever or other complications. In severe cases, or if a patient has a chronic disease or suppressed immune system, there are antiviral drugs approved to treat the flu. Tamiflu is the most well known, but the flu has begun to become resistant. An alternative drug is zanamivir.

Prevention

There is a flu vaccine offered every autumn in preparation for the flu season. It is the medical community's best guess at what H1N1, H3N2, and type B strains will emerge. However, it doesn't always work. The 2007-2008 flu season saw an H1N1 strain emerge too late in the year to be included and has caused a widespread flu outbreak in nearly every state. But health officials are confident that the vaccine will provide cross immunity and decrease the severity and complications of the infection. Other preventative measures include washing your hands on a regular basis with warm water and mild soap, the use of hand sanitizers when in contact with other people, and a healthy diet high in Vitamin C and B complex.