Influenza
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Chapter One
Influenza An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration.
Fever Abnormally high body temperature
Chills A moderate but penetrating coldness
Prostration- Total exhaustion or weakness
Pneumonia an acute or chronic disease marked by the inflammation of the lungs, and caused by viruses, bacteria, or microorganisms. Sometimes can be caused by chemical or physical irritants.
Influenza viruses belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family. The word "Flu" is a slang term, that applies to many types of viral gastroenteritis, such as stomach or intestinal flu. These are not really related to the true respiratory influenza caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is not the same thing as the common cold. People often miss more work or school when they have influenza then they would with any other viral illness. The "flu" could be remembered as one of the worst illnesses a person has had.
Sometimes with influenza the infection doesn't go away, but instead leads to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, sinus infection, or bronchitis...