Types of Flu

Flu-also known as influenza is an infection caused by a virus of the respiratory tract, nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. 

The flu virus is very contagious and can cause severe damage depending on its severity. The effects of the flu can range from mild fever to life threatening disorders and failures. In order to minimize the effect of flu and its virus on your health, it is important that you should be aware of what kind of flu you are suffering from. Awareness is the best way to combat any type of ailments. 

The 5 most common types of Flu are:

# Seasonal Flu

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It spreads between people and can cause mild to severe illness. In some cases, the flu can lead to death.

Symptoms

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Ear or sinus infections
• Dehydration
• Worsening of chronic health condition

# H3N2v

H3N2v is a variant of H3N2 influenza. The virus does not usually infect people or spread among people. It is very different from human seasonal viruses.

Symptoms of H3N2v are similar to seasonal flu symptoms.

# H1N1 (Swine Flu)

H1N1 is a flu virus. When it was first detected in 2009, it was called "swine flu" because the virus was similar to those found in pigs. The H1N1 virus is currently a seasonal flu virus found in humans. Although it also circulates in pigs, you cannot get it by eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.

The symptoms of H1N1 are the same as seasonal flu symptoms.

# H5N1 Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian (bird) flu virus that has caused serious outbreaks in domestic poultry. Highly pathogenic refers to the virus's ability to produce disease. Most human cases of "highly pathogenic" H5N1 virus infection have occurred in people who had recent contact with sick or dead poultry that were infected with H5N1 viruses. About 60% of people infected with the virus died.

Symptoms

• Fever and cough
• Acute respiratory distress
• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea