Influenza or flu is a contagious disease that is transmitted through a virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The influenza virus is carried through the air and often turns into a seasonal epidemic through autumn and winter. Influenza can be mild or severe and can even lead to death in some cases. It can cause complications such as bacterial pneumonia and dehydration. Patients, who suffer from chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, and cardiac troubles, may experience the worst symptoms. In young children, influenza often causes sinus and ear infections.Influenza causesThe influenza virus passes between individuals through droplets and particles that are projected from an infected person’s body into the air and onto surrounding objects. These germs are expelled when the infected person sneezes or coughs. The virus can also be transmitted when an uninfected person touches his/her mouth or nose with a hand that is accidentally carrying a droplet that may have been expelled by the cough or sneeze of an infected person. The symptoms then develop over the next few days. An infected person can pass on the virus to others even before his or her symptoms fully develop and for a week after the symptoms go away.Influenza SymptomsIf you start to develop cold-like symptoms that start rapidly and violently, with a high fever and severe aches and pains, often in the back and muscles, then you may be suffering from influenza. These symptoms may be accompanied by a severe headache, cough, and, because of the high fever, intermittent sweating and shivering. Sometimes there are gastrointestinal symptoms too, such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea.In most healthy people, influenza symptoms go away in 5 to 7 days. The worst of the influenza symptoms usually last for 3 to 4 days. It is best you speak to your doctor within 48 hours of experiencing the influenza symptoms.The following groups of people are at a higher risk of contracting the influenza virus than others:People over the age of 50 years Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years Women who are more than 3 months pregnant Inhabitants of long-term care facilities People with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system If you belong to any of these groups, or have a child who is susceptible to influenza, you should consult a doctor for further information on influenza.Influenza TreatmentApart from vaccines, and home remedies such as lots of rest and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic liquids there are also many prescription treatments available for the prevention and treatment of influenza.Tamiflu is used to prevent and treat both the influenza virus strains A and B. It acts as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase and prevents new viruses growing from contaminated cells. Tamiflu reduces the severity of influenza symptoms and helps shorten the duration of the illness.