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Fungus /Mold
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Influenza
Typically, influenza is transmitted through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus. Influenza can also be transmitted by direct contact with bird droppings or nasal secretions, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Because Influenza spreads so easily, seasonal epidemics are found around the world, resulting in the deaths of between 250,000 and 500,000 people every year and up to millions in some pandemic years. The medical community believes the flu vaccine acts as a preventative although there is no data that proves this. Many studies have now shown that more people get the flu from the vaccine itself than would have gotten it from natural exposure! Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chills, but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38-39 °C (approximately 100-103 °F). Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse in their backs and legs. Symptoms of influenza may include: Fever and extreme coldness (chills shivering, shaking); Cough; Nasal congestion; Body aches (especially joints and throat); Fatigue; Headache; Irritated, watering and red eyes; red skin (especially face); mouth, throat and nose Petechial Rash (minor hemorrhage caused by broken capillary blood vessels). It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of these infections, but the flu can be identified by a high fever with a sudden onset and extreme fatigue. Diarrhea is not normally a symptom of influenza in adults, although it has been seen in some human cases of the H5N1 "bird flu" and can be a symptom in children. The symptoms most reliably seen in influenza are fever, cough and nasal congestion. |
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