Influenza can be defined as a viral disease that once contracted can last from between three to five days. Influenza is normally accompanied by aching joints and muscles, cough, headaches and fever, and sufferers normally go through a period of two to three weeks feeling fatigued. The disease can become serious, leading to such conditions as pneumonia, brain and nerve damage and sometimes even death, but occurrences of these serious conditions are rare.

Other symptoms can occur with influenza and these can include chest pain, loss of appetite, restless sleep, chills, indigestion, and vomiting. Individuals that catch influenza should drink as much fluid as they can due to the fever, rest while trying to get lots of sleep, and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol. A person should contact their doctor should the symptoms still be present after a week, or if they are feeling worse than they were.

Influenza

Influenza is spread from individual to individual through the air, infecting the throat, nose or lungs once contracted. As it can spread very quickly, epidemics often occur with affected areas in the grip of the virus from four to six weeks.

The elderly are particularly at risk from the disease, while individuals with lung or heart disease can develop complications if struck by flu. The people who are most at risk are advised to seek yearly vaccinations.