The Flu

**DarthInsinuate** · 11-03-2003, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by lynx@3 November 2003 - 17:05
Influenza is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Anti-biotics only affect bacteria, so they don't work on flu.

damn my lack of medical knowledge

**Kunal** · 11-03-2003, 05:12 PM

i recovered from the flu, im all better now

**UKMan** · 11-04-2003, 01:13 PM

According to an article on the news last night, the flu bug seems to come from poultry: i.e. chickens, pigs etc, but once it gets to the humans, then only humans can transmit it to each other. I dont get it - can anyone explain?

Peace
UKAtchooooMan

**Skweeky** · 11-04-2003, 01:34 PM

Yes, it's quite simple(I think

)

As soon as a human being gets it, the virus mutates, so it 'feels more comfortable' in the body of its host. It's isn't compatible for chickens anymore then

That's what it comes down too anyway, i'm sure it's more complicated that that

**UKMan** · 11-04-2003, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by Skweeky@4 November 2003 - 14:34
Yes, it's quite simple(I think )

As soon as a human being gets it, the virus mutates, so it 'feels more comfortable' in the body of its host. It's isn't compatible for chickens anymore then

That's what it comes down too anyway, i'm sure it's more complicated that that

Thx Skweeky

BTW - iv'e never seen a chicken sneeze

Peace
UKMan

**hobbes** · 11-05-2003, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by Keikan@3 November 2003 - 01:38
It says in 1918 influenza killed over 600 000 people...

IT does seem dangerous 

Keikan,

Good news: Don't worry the "flu" did NOT kill 600,000 people.
Bad news: It was more like 20-40 million. 1918 Influenza Pandemic
The most effective treatment is yearly immunization and isolation of those infected.

Here is a nice link that will reassure most of you that you have had a "cold", not the "flu":Cold or Flu?

The flu is a clever bastard that changes it's appearance subtley on a yearly basis. There are different strains which effect humans and farm animals and sometimes when they meet in a farmers nose they will exchange genetic information. This can lead a totally new look, which the body's immune system cannot recognize and this is how the epidemics occur. This is rare, but these epidemics do seem to occur every 75 years or so.

We do not get the disease from animals, but we tranfer it one to another via respiratory droplets (sneeze, cough, kiss, etc). So that guy who just sneezed on the crowded elevator just infected everyone. And everyone in the elevator will take it home to their families.

Enjoy your flu. It mainly kills the very young and the very old, so Keikan even if you get it, you will be miserable but come out just fine.