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Line 1: − The '''flu''' or '''Influenza''' is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. It is spread through human contact, and from contact with infected birds, pigs or other animals. Winter is the worst season. Influenza caused a deadly worldwide pandemic in 1918-1919, as populations were weakened in the aftermatch of World War I. Over 20 million died worldwide. A worldwide "swine flu" epidemic is underway in 2009, caused by a new strain; so far the deaths from the new strain have been few.+ − ==Medical== − The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these "flu-like" symptoms: − * High Fever − * Headache − * Extreme tiredness − * Dry cough − * Sore throat − * Runny or stuffy nose − * Muscle aches − * Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults − − Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. In normal years in the U.S. on average 5% to 20% of the population catches the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. − − ==Worldwide flu pandemic of 1918-19 == − The worldwide flu pandemic of 1918-19 killed more than 20 million people worldwide, and 675,000 Americans. Montana was one of the four hardest-hit states in the nation, as 5,000 residents, or 1% of the population, died as a result of the infection. In response to the epidemic the State Board of Health urged closing public gathering places. Such regulation spawned public resentment, but the Board of Health stood firm. Butte was the hardest hit city of Montana and one of the hardest hit in the nation. The University of Montana in Missoula closed to protect the students. In remote areas of the state isolation and limited medical personnel left many families to face illness with help from neighbors.<ref> Pierce C. Mullen, and Michael L. Nelson, "Montanans and 'The Most Peculiar Disease': the Influenza Epidemic and Public Health, 1918-1919". ''Montana: the Magazine of Western History'' 1987 37(2): 50-61; Volney Steele, "The Flu Epidemic of 1918 on the Montana Frontier." ''Journal of the West'' 2003 42(4): 81-90 </ref> − ==Swine Flu epidemic of 2009== − ==External links== − * [http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ Center for Disease Control Influenza page] − − ====Further reading==== − − ====references==== − <references/> − [[Category:Medicine]]
Redirected page to Influenza
#redirect[[Influenza]]