Influenza

From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change

Influenza (or the flu, the grippe) is a very common disease. It is contagious, so it passes from one person to another very easily. Usually, it spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics. In the 20th century, there were three big epidemics (called pandemics) that killed millions of people. A type of flu is Avian flu. People sometimes mistook influenza for the common cold. The flu affects the upper airways and the lungs.

While there is no cure, there is a vaccine that must be given yearly to avoid infection.

[change] Symptoms

Some common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Headache

[change] Other websites

• CDC info on influenza
• World Health Organization Fact Sheet Overview of influenza.
• NHS Direct Health encyclopedia entry
• Both overview and technical details on influenza viruses with emphasis on the potential H5N1 pandemic Includes details of various nonhuman influenza viruses. Extensive and well done.
• Another overview of influenza