Influenza

Differences between the “flu” and influenza:

1. Influenza virus causes fever, aches and malaise. A flu shot will not protect you against the stomach flu. Stomach flu is caused by other viruses; some of those viruses are the rotavirus and Norwalk virus.

2. Influenza viruses are divided into types A, B and C. Type C rarely causes illness. Types A and B circulate in human populations and they constantly change their antigenic coat (antigen capability, substance that produces an immune response) to evade the human immune system. resulting in the need for a new vaccine every year to protect against the most current circulating virus strains.

Norwalk virus is a virus resistant to pH levels between 5 to 10, acid, ether, and is capable of surviving temperatures of 60C for 30 minutes. It is commonly spread out in institutional settings like schools and nursing homes, where infection is passed person to person. They also occur in group settings such as banquet halls, cruise ships, dormitories, and campgrounds, where outbreak sources are usually contaminated food and/or water. They cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Rotavirus: Although adults can get infected with this virus, children are most susceptible. They often experience vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Vomiting and watery diarrhea can last from 3 to 8 days. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and dehydration.

Vaccines use inactive parts of the viruses that are not harmful to humans to produce antibodies without causing an infection. This is the process of active immunity where the body produces an immune reaction as if it was infected without actually being infected. Some side effects of the flu shot are soreness or redness where the shot was given, fever (low grade) and aches. But you don’t get the flu because the virus in the vaccine is killed. There is no reason to worry about developing autism from an influenza vaccine.

5. Both viruses and bacteria can cause acute URIs:

Viruses...