2008 Woodie Awards
Preparation is the key to flu season stamina
Alexander Tingey
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Health
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The first few chilly nights of autumn are upon us and as the leaves along the Hudson change color and drop, we will quickly be immersed in the depths of a cold winter in Poughkeepsie, NY. Along with building snowmen and tobogganing across the campus green, winter promises some of our other favorite pastimes. Flu season, in the past, has taken up weeks of winter breaks, and days of class, this year however could prove to be different.
Influenza is a viral infection first described by Hippocrates in 452 B.C.. The virus affects mammals and some other vertebrates including birds. Influenza should not be confused with the common cold, or a "24 hour bug." Ailments which come on quickly and leave within a 48 hour period are usually the result of gastroenteritis which is not related to the influenza virus.
The flu travels rapidly worldwide during the cold season, and has resulted in isolated and global pandemics in the past. Most recently, between 1968-1969 a particularly volatile strain of the flu killed nearly a million in Hong Kong over the span of a few weeks. The most devastating pandemic recorded in recent history occurred in Spain between 1918-1920, 40 million people died, and nearly 500 million were infected. The Avian flu has caused quite a stir since its discovery in 1997; however, its mortality and infection rates have and continue to be maintained by officials who are monitoring the situation.
The Influenza virus attacks host cells and forces them to replicate the virus' RNA sequence, which in turn produces more infectious cells that attack the host. Due to its exponential spread through the body during the first day or so of infection, symptoms are generally delayed up to 48 hours before the host feels noticeable ill.
The virus enters the body through water droplets in the air and through contact with infected surfaces. Doorknobs, desktops and handrails are potential viral hotspots come flu season. Although some cases of the flu will begin to appear as early as December, the official flu season begins some time in January and begins to settle down in late March. Experts cite dryer air, more time spent indoors in close proximity with others and the cooler ambient temperature of the room as possible causes of the virus' season.
Influenza is a viral infection first described by Hippocrates in 452 B.C.. The virus affects mammals and some other vertebrates including birds. Influenza should not be confused with the common cold, or a "24 hour bug." Ailments which come on quickly and leave within a 48 hour period are usually the result of gastroenteritis which is not related to the influenza virus.
The flu travels rapidly worldwide during the cold season, and has resulted in isolated and global pandemics in the past. Most recently, between 1968-1969 a particularly volatile strain of the flu killed nearly a million in Hong Kong over the span of a few weeks. The most devastating pandemic recorded in recent history occurred in Spain between 1918-1920, 40 million people died, and nearly 500 million were infected. The Avian flu has caused quite a stir since its discovery in 1997; however, its mortality and infection rates have and continue to be maintained by officials who are monitoring the situation.
The Influenza virus attacks host cells and forces them to replicate the virus' RNA sequence, which in turn produces more infectious cells that attack the host. Due to its exponential spread through the body during the first day or so of infection, symptoms are generally delayed up to 48 hours before the host feels noticeable ill.
The virus enters the body through water droplets in the air and through contact with infected surfaces. Doorknobs, desktops and handrails are potential viral hotspots come flu season. Although some cases of the flu will begin to appear as early as December, the official flu season begins some time in January and begins to settle down in late March. Experts cite dryer air, more time spent indoors in close proximity with others and the cooler ambient temperature of the room as possible causes of the virus' season.
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