Lesson 3: When is the flu the flu?
Lesson 3: When is the flu the flu, and why is an annual vaccination essential?
Learning Objective 2: Gain knowledge on important information about influenza as a disease, including its causes and symptoms
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Transcript:
What is the flu?
The flu, also known as influenza is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses.
In Canada, seasonal influenza or flu epidemics generally occur annually in the late fall and winter months.
VIDEO - The Influenza Problem
Dr. Bram Palache - Influenza Scientist and Co-Founder of the European Scientific Working Group (ESWI)
Dr. Bram speaks on the importance of the influenza (flu) vaccine as a safe, simple, and effective solution against influenza and how it protects people against disease.
What causes the flu?
The flu is caused by 2 main influenza viruses:
Influenza A virus
Influenza B virus
It is important to note that these are the main influenza viruses that cause seasonal epidemics in humans.
An epidemic is when a disease or health-related event spreads unexpectedly across a region or population.
Normally, influenza is transmitted or passed on to others through coughing and sneezing and through direct or indirect contact with respiratory secretions.
What are symptoms of the flu?
It is important to note that infection from the flu may be asymptomatic or present itself as a mild disease. It may also present as a severe disease and can result in death.
Symptoms typically include:
Sudden onset of fever, cough, and muscle aches and pains
Other common symptoms include:
Headache, chills, loss of appetite, fatigue, and sore throat
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur
What are complications of the flu?
Most people will recover within a week to 10 days.
For some, the infection from the flu may lead to complications including:
Pneumonia, respiratory failure, cardiovascular complications, or worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions
Flu infection is also connected with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
VIDEO - The Influenza Problem
Dr. Bram Palache - Influenza Scientist and Co-Founder of the European Scientific Working Group (ESWI)
Dr. Bram speaks on the importance of the influenza (flu) vaccine as a safe, simple, and effective solution against influenza and how it protects people against disease.
VIDEO - End Immunization Inequity: Umberto (#MessagesMatter)
Listen to Umberto’s story on his father’s challenges with influenza to understand the symptoms and complications he faced and the positive impact of vaccination.