What is flu and what are the causes?

The flu is a very common disease in the United States. As many as 20 per cent Americans are affected by the flu every year. Many people confuse this with common cold; however, the symptoms of the former are more distressing.

However, there are many similarities between the flu and the common cold. For instance, both the conditions are caused by viruses. As a result, neither of these diseases can be cured with the help of drugs – not even antibiotics. However, flu shots are now available which can make people immune to the disease. In addition, certain drugs – like Tamiflu – may alleviate the symptoms of the flu and thus help the affected people recover quickly. The virus – called Influenza – is responsible for causing flu. There are three types of this virus – namely, Influenza A, B and C.  There are many strains of the influenza; each strain develops after the other. As a result, the flu affects people almost every year. Usually, people who have weak immune systems are most likely to suffer from flu. A person develops the flu by being near an infected person.  When the infected person coughs or sneezes, the influenza virus gets out into the air, and the person who inhales the infected air contracts the flu. Similarly, a person may contract the flu by being in contact with anything the infected person has touched.