by Greg Dunn

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

The seasonal flu, known as the common "flu" to most of us, will be experienced by 20 million people across the United States this year. While it is as not as serious as 3 pandemic influenza outbreaks in the 20th century where millions of deaths occurred in a short period of time, the seasonal flu is responsible for 36,000 deaths and 220,000 hospitalizations annually. Because of this, it is important to recognize the symptoms and characteristics of it.

Characteristics of the Seasonal Flu are:

IT'S PREDICTABLE. The virus follows a predictable seasonal pattern. It occurs annually, during the winter months. No one knows for certain why this is so. It could be during the winter months people are indoors more, making person-to-person transmission easier. Another theory is sugar intake during the holidays lowers your immune system ability to fight, making it easier for the flu to attack. Others believe that the virus cannot live in the intense heat of the spring and summer months. Whatever the reason is, the fact is influenza follows the fall and winter months.

MOST HEALTHY ADULTS ARE NOT AT RISK FOR SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS. 90% of the deaths that occur annually from the Seasonal Flu occur in individuals over 65 years of age because of complications, such as pneumonia. Most those under 65, get the flu, get sick and recover from it.

THE BODY BUILDS SOME IMMUNITY FROM PREVIOUS EXPOSURE. Generally, if a person is infected with an influenza virus, they will have limited immunity from that virus strain, which may last one or more years. The trouble is the virus changes, mutates rapidly and the immune system won't recognize it.

SYMPTOMS OF THE SEASONAL FLU. Coughing, sneezing, fever, muscle and joint pain, chills and sniffling.

VACCINES ARE DEVELOPED AND MEDICAL HEALTH SYSTEMS CAN MEET THE DEMAND. Because of the predictability and research of the flu virus, vaccines are developed for the strain of the known flu and medical community read to meet the public needs and demands.

IT'S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. The influenza virus is spread person to person by respiratory droplets by someone coughing, sneezing or talking and is very contagious. By knowing this, you can seclude yourself when you become ill with the flu to prevent you from infecting someone else. If your healthy, you can avoid contact with a person who has come down with it.

By knowing these characteristics, we all know that during the winter months the "Flu Bug" is going to hit. Individuals begin planning for it by getting immunized with the influenza vaccine. They recognize the symptoms in their children and themselves, ensuring they don't get worse or with complications. Employers plan for lost work hours, Clinics prepare for the onset of patients and the scientific community tracks the virus and its current strains as it moves across the world. Knowing the characteristics of the flu virus has made us aware of it, fear it, respect it and deal with it as part of our life.

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