Scientists divide the influenza virus into three types--A, B and C. The first two types, A and B, account for the flu epidemics which occur each winter in the United States. Unlike type B, type A undergoes abrupt, major changes through a process...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is as an infection caused by influenza viruses. The CDC estimates that an average of 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States are attributed to these...
People can get the various types of flu directly or indirectly. For example, when a person coughs, the virus travels into the air and anyone within range of the airborne virus can become infected. The other way to pick up the flu virus comes from...
The flu is unpleasant, contagious and maybe life-threatening. There are three types of regular influenza viruses: A, B and C. Type A influenza is divided into subtypes, such as the H1N1 virus, erroneously called swine flu, and both type A subtypes...
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, five manufacturers are licensed to produce injectible vaccine (flu shot). Each is marketed under a different brand name with slightly different indications. Although common allergy...
The flu is a common respiratory system illness caused by the influenza virus. The severity of the illness ranges from mild to severe. On average every year, about 36,000 people in the United States die from causes related to influenza infection,...
Influenza type B is one of three types of flu virus, the other two being type A and type C. Of the three, types A and B cause seasonal flu and can lead to epidemics. Between November and April, the time period known as flu season, is when most flu...
The flu has many different strains. The three main influenza viruses are A, B, and C. Types A and B are the common types of flu that occur during the winter months, although Type B can occur any time during the year. The symptoms of these types of...
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a type of respiratory infection that can infect both animals and humans. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, flu viruses are classified according to their protein...
The phrase "flu-like symptoms" is a shorthand reference to a cluster of symptoms that typically occur with influenza, but present with another illness. Flu-like symptoms accompany a wide variety of infectious, autoimmune and other illnesses...
Each year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the vaccines set to be offered before the seasonal flu season begins, states the Mayo Clinic. The vaccine is available between September and mid-November, which is just before the flu...
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), five manufacturers have been licensed to produce injectible vaccine (flu shot) for the 2009-2010 season. A sixth--MedImmune LLC--has been licensed to produce a nasal spray vaccine called...
Influenza is a virus that causes respiratory infection, but the symptoms affect the whole body. FluFacts.com, an informational website sponsored by the biotechnology company Genentech, describes these symptoms as headache, high fever, sneezing,...
Avian influenza or avian flu is a strain of the flu virus that is usually transmitted among birds but has on occasion infected humans, according to the World Health Organization. H5N1 in particular is a virulent strain of avian flu that has been...
Stomach flu, officially called viral gastroenteritis, is caused by several viruses, according to the website eMedTV.com. The symptoms of stomach flu are usually the same regardless of the virus, but some symptoms can be more severe than others....
Each year, millions of Americans become ill with the Type B influenza, an infection caused by the influenza Type B virus. Luckily, type B flu infections have milder symptoms than most other strains of the flu. If you feel sick, get plenty of rest,...
When you hear that someone has the flu, you probably think of aches, pains and fever that are associated with it. While these are common flu symptoms, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are actually three...
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system: the throat, the nose, the lungs and the bronchial tubes. The virus is airborne and usually enters the body through the mouth, the nose or the eyes....
Influenza B is a type of flu that is similar to influenza A. However, while A usually afflicts people in the early winter, influenza B can infect any time of the year. Another difference between the two, according to Dr. Vincent Racaniello, a...
Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by types A, B, and C flu virus, labeled by their protein makeup. The seasonal flu is a yearly infection with 36,000 fatalities in the United States, according to the National Institute of Allergies and...
The University of South Carolina states that although many upper respiratory diseases are called flu, there are truly only three different types of flu virus, all belonging to the orthomyxovirus family. The university adds that the virus can be...
The H1N1 flu, also known as the swine flu, affected many Americans in 2009, note the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. This type of flu presented with the usual flu symptoms, but included shortness of breath and chest pain. It...
Influenza type B is one of the two virus types that cause seasonal influenza. It belongs to the virus family Orthomyxoviridae along with influenza type A, the other cause of seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that...
The avian flu rarely appeared in human populations before the 1990s, when it became a health threat in 1997. The first cases arose in Hong Kong, according to MedLine Plus, and since that time, it has appeared throughout the world. Certain people...
The disease commonly referred to as the "swine flu" is actually the H1N1 virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a type of flu that was first diagnosed in people in the United States in April 2009. Swine flu is...
Haemophilus influenza type B, or H. Flu, is a common bacterial pathogen in humans and responsible for invasive infections such as bacterial meningitis. It usually infects newborns or unvaccinated children.
A disease is classified as airborne when respiratory droplets from one person can easily contaminate the next person. Viruses, bacteria and fungus may be to blame for causing such diseases. Airborne transmission happens when the bacteria or virus...
Influenza is classified as type A, type B or type C. Type A is the most severe and is responsible for epidemics such as avian flu and swine flu. The signs and symptoms of type A influenza can affect the digestive system, muscles, respiratory...
According to the Mayo Clinic's website, influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, lungs and bronchial tubes. It is characterized by high fever, headache, chest...
Acupuncture gua sha is scraping method used for back pain, colds and even the flu. Learn more about gua sha and acupuncture from our medical expert in this free video.
Meningitis is an inflammation of meninges, membranes that protect the brain or spinal cord. Find the facts on viral meningitis including treatment options in this video.
Acupuncturists sometimes use flash cupping in order to attack acute back pain areas. Learn more about cupping and acupuncture from our medical expert in this free video.