Children
Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that causes a myriad of symptoms and health problems in humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from the flu, and about . 36,000 of them die from the flu or flu-related illnesses. Children are among the hardest hit in the flu population. The reason could play a large part in how the influenza is spread. Day care centers and schools are two of the most common breeding grounds for the transmittal of influenza, because so many items are shared within such a close proximity. Once a child has influenza, all it takes is a small droplet of mucous or upper respiratory body fluid to come in contact with someone else's mouth, nostrils or eyes in order to become infected. Because of the often large amount of children in group settings, this increases their risk of spreading the flu from person to person. Some of the ways they may get the flu could be by touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles, sink knobs, toilet handles, toys, pencils, pencil sharpeners, food, chairs and fabric items. The child who is sick has to have been in the very early stages of the flu (12 hours or less, before the fever sets in), during the illness, or up to 24 hours after the fever has broken in order to contaminate others.
Adults
There are three main kinds of viruses that cause influenza: A, B and C. All contain over 26 different strains and subtypes, and all are contagious. Types A and B are the strongest strains; they cause the most widespread illness. The H1N1 and H3N2 viruses are a type influenza. One of the main ways adults spread the disease is through casual contact, such as hand-shaking and close working environments. Adults can spread the disease by not utilizing proper hand-washing techniques, exposing themselves to the virus and not following through with preventative measures. Some preventative measures include getting a flu vaccine (as recommended by the CDC). Flu vaccinations are important for those with a pre-existing condition, or those who work around large groups of people or in the health care field. Adults should also avoid close contact with infected people to prevent the spread of the disease. Practicing common-sense preventative measures such as throwing away used tissues, washing hands periodically and using a hand sanitizer when water and soap is not available helps keep the flu from spreading.
Elderly
Elderly people are very susceptible to falling ill from influenza. They are in a high-risk group for developing complications resulting from the spread of influenza. This includes pneumonia, severe respiratory problems, stroke and agitation of underlying disease such as diabetes and hypertension. Those who have weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to having advanced symptoms of the flu--such as cough, an increase in phlegm, an increase in blood sugar levels and blood pressure changes. Many elderly people may also not be able to practice safe preventative measures if they are bed-bound, dementia patients or handicapped. If those who are in close contact with them--including health care workers--transmit the disease to them, they are unknowingly at risk for contracting influenza. It can help contain widespread contamination if all elderly people get a flu shot or are quarantined or contained if exposed to the flu, or during a flu outbreak.
