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One of the more common infections in humans is Influenza, more commonly known as 'flu'. Influenza, which is caused by the influenza virus, can attack both birds and mammals. In humans, this disease can be of a moderate to severe nature. Symptoms of the flu in humans typically include chills, fever, headaches, muscle soreness, sore throat, fatigue, and an over sense of discomfort. If the flu attack is severe, it could lead to pneumonia which could lead to death in very young children or the elderly. Influenza is very contagious and spreads through air. Anyone who has influenza will be infectious for about a week and can spread the virus through coughing, sneezing, through the salvia, nasal secretions, etc. Influenza has had a long history with humans. In the 20th century alone there have been 3 influenza pandemics that have killed tens of millions of people. Influenza is caused by a virus that is constantly mutating. Thus, each year, it is likely that a new strain of the virus is causing the flu. Although the flu is not considered to be a very serious illness, the more developed countries like the US make use of flu vaccinations to protect the
people from influenza. There are 2 types of flu vaccinations that are available today. One flu vaccination is made of the killed virus and is in the form of an injection, more commonly known as a 'flu shot'. The other flu vaccination is in the form of a nasal spray which contains the influenza virus in an attenuated form, known as Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV). The flu shot can be given to all ages; however the flu vaccination as a spray is not suited to children below 2 yrs of age or adults above 50 yrs of age or to pregnant women. The flu vaccination is made of 3 strains of viruses - two influenza virus A types (H3N2, H1N1) and one influenza virus B type. The flu vaccinations that are used are not made of the same strains of the viruses each year. Since the influenza virus is constantly mutating, each year, the flu vaccination is made up of viruses that scientists and experts in the field believe to be the next mutation to cause the flu. The flu vaccination is recommended for the elderly (above 65), those with chronic heart, lung and liver conditions, healthcare workers, children from 6 months to 18 yrs of age and pregnant women. The flu vaccination is, it should not be taken by those who have an allergy to chicken eggs and those less than 6 months in age. The flu vaccination is safe and effective and the side effects include the usual soreness at the point of injection, a slight fever or rash and increased crankiness in young children. Childhood Vaccination
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