At least once in a lifetime, an individual undergoes a distressing period when they experience flu. Whether mild or severe, the virus that causes flu spreads in the body, weakening its immunity. The influenza virus multiplies at different rates in the respiratory organs causing different mildness or severe flu levels. The discussion focuses on the epidemiology of influenza, including the intervention put in place to stop the virus from spreading from one person to another during any form of contact.
The causes of influenza are viruses referred to as influenza virus A, B, or C. The symptoms depend on the type of virus that affects the respiratory organs. Medical experts refer to the viruses as part of the RNA that commonly affects the respiratory system. The RNA strands replicate once they enter a host, especially when from a bird or another host that initially had the flu. The influenza virus weakens the body immunity, making it impossible for the viral envelope to stay within the host. The mucus release is an attempt of the body to release antigens that would prevent further manufacture of proteins that promote the process of replication. It explains why people that have contact with those suffering from influenza will always get the flu since the virus is always seeking to replicate in a new host (Potter, 2002).
Doctors often recommend bed rest to prevent cross infection and reduce the effects of sore throat that naturally accompany fever. Arguably, no treatment directly targets the virus; they only help to reduce the effects such as muscle pain. Influenza occurs promptly, and the running nose takes 48 hours to begin immediately one has an attack. Influenza is airborne and common in children. Sometimes, it causes vomiting, digestion problems, and nausea while in complex situations, pneumonia occurs (Potter, 2002). Other people deal with sinuses, worsened asthma cases, and complications for people suffering from chronic diseases. Besides supplements to dry the mucus, patients with complications have to undergo further treatment, and in case of pneumonia or sinus, one has to carry an inhaler all the time.
In children and the elderly, flu renders most of them immobile, and they can easily infect other people around. They feel muscle pain, lose appetite, endure severe headache, and sometimes have to endure increasing body temperatures. Influenza has different treatment options including antiviral options. However, for purposes of prevention, a vaccine exists that the CDC and WHO recommends for children, the elderly, and people doing strenuous jobs. The mucus membrane faces the worst effects of influenza because they make other parts of the body vulnerable to the virus (Barry, 2005). Once people touch, breathe the same air, and get into contact when the germs exist, chances of acquiring flu are very high. Other targeted demographics are people living in areas that experience tropical temperatures because such temperatures promote replication and transfer of viruses. The Northern and Southern Hampshire interchange the period between April and November each year for the spread of flu. The flu spreads very fast when temperatures are very cold or very high. At least 24.9 million died from flu in 2014 most of who were from Europe and East Asia.
Different types of flu require diverse treatment approaches. Currently, the US spends over $10 billion on treatment of common flu annually. The number could triple by 2020 in case another stubborn virus such as the Spanish fever, the H2N2, or the H1N1 appears. Researchers and biologists constantly use money to establish updated laboratories in order to handle influenza epidemics in the future. Socio-economic factors are determinants of healthy living because an unhealthy society directly affects productivity (Nelson & Williams, 2014).
The physical environment consists of the resources people use daily including water and air. They also incorporate cultural elements that either support or reduce the risk of disease acquisition. Some countries including Finland and Canada spend about 18% of the national income on the health docket. They sponsor sensitization social healthcare programs such as proper breastfeeding, the significance of cleanliness in reducing infections, and other school based programs. The intention is to create awareness about the physical environment at a national level and prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as influenza. Haiti among other countries susceptible to waterborne diseases struggle to develop sustainable programs, but issues of economic stability constantly sees the country channel resources to other national programs (Raphael, 2009).
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