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Influenza, or the Flu: Is the Flu Shot Necessary?

© Mark Abell

The Flu, or Influenza and the Flu Shot: Is it Really Needed?

The Flu, or otherwise called Influenza, is a viral infection that is commonly associated with the winter or fall seasons, but, although we usually associate cold weather with various forms of upper respiratory infections and the flu, the two actually have only one association. Consider, for example, why a population, for example, contracts a viral infection that seems to run its course through the community. The cold weather has little to do with the rise of the infection other than the fact that cold weather is typically associated with the gathering of people in small areas, as in houses, apartments and the like. During the summer months, on the contrary, people are generally spread out in large areas, enjoying the warmer weather, the beaches, the vacation resorts, etc. When people tend to gather in restricted areas because of the cold weather, however, there is typically, then, more chances for the spread of infection. Hence, this gives rise to the propensity of illnesses, typically colds, and, yes, the dreaded flu season.

Influenza is a virus, an acute and usually self-limited infection that occurs in outbreaks in varying degrees during the winter season. The symptoms vary from people to people and from one viral entity to another, but generally speaking, the typical presentations are not unlike colds, which result in sore throats, but there are other presentations that sometimes makes it difficult to discern from other forms of infections, such as croup and other respiratory viral infections. One of the major differences that exist between the flu and other upper respiratory tract infections is that the flu is typically associated with other systemic problems and complaints, such as weakness, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as a host of other problems.

Since 1510, there have been over 31 pandemics of respiratory diseases that are now thought to be similar to what we now call the flu. Five of these pandemics have occurred during the 20th century, for example, 1900, 1918, 1957, 1968 and 1977. For those who are history buffs, the 1918 flu pandemic was the most severe, which caused over 21 million deaths. This, of course, was well before the advent of the flu vaccine, which is now thought to be responsible for saving a great number of people who would have otherwise perished.

There are two different forms of the flu virus, generally speaking: Influenza A and Influenza B. This is an extremely simplified explanation, as there are a great deal of factors that are involved with the flu virus itself and such explanations are well beyond the scope of this article. The most important take-home information, however, is that there are clear differences between the two major flu viral infections and some of the newer medications, such as Tamaflu and Relenza, for example, are effective against only one of the flu viruses where other medications are effective for treating the other form. While it is not really important which one is being treated at this point, it is important for the clinician to understand the differences, and, therefore, treat accordingly.