Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals. The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning "influence" (Latin: influentia). In humans, common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, pharyngitis, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly. Although it is often confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza can produce nausea and vomitin g, especially in children, but these symptoms are more characteristic of the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".

Symptoms

*Body aches, especially joints and throat
*Extreme coldness and fever
*Fatigue
*Headache
*Irritated watering eyes
*Reddened eyes, skin, mouth, throat and nose