Seasonal Influenza and Bird Flu: Key Facts You Should Know

Fast Summary:

• The flu, or seasonal influenza, is a contagious viral respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses.
• There are four types of influenza viruses: A and B cause seasonal flu epidemics; C causes mild illness; D affects animals like cattle but not humans.
• seasonal flu peaks from December to February in the Northern Hemisphere and spreads through droplets expelled during coughing/sneezing or shared utensils.
• Every year, approximately 1 billion people globally get sick with the flu, leading to 290,000-650,000 deaths due to respiratory complications.
• Children under 5 years old, people over 65 years old, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for severe symptoms or complications such as pneumonia or sepsis.
• Flu vaccines (recommended for individuals aged six months and older), hand hygiene practices, masking in public places, and antiviral medications like Tamiflu can help prevent or reduce severity of illness.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
India regularly sees seasonal spikes of influenza infections during cooler months akin to global trends cited above (December-february). with rapid urbanization increasing population density and close interactions among people in cities like Mumbai and Delhi-enhanced vigilance on mitigating airborne spread becomes key intervention priority locally public adoption mass greater norms/fact awareness balanced preparedness rising/gpl-india-neutral stones kind categories reducing