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This section aims to give you more information about the flu virus;
Flu is a highly infectious virus that affects the respiratory system (the nose, airways and lungs). The flu season is usually between October and April every year.
The flu is caused by a virus, which has various strains;
- Type A: Responsible for most cases of human influenza. Some strains can cause epidemics, some cause disease in animals, such as birds, pigs and horses.
- Type B: Less common and usually cause less severe illness, but can sometimes cause outbreaks - particularly amongst children.
- Type C: Usually (and rarely) cause mild illness.
The flu virus spreads very easily between people as we inhale tiny droplets in the air when people sneeze or cough near us, or if we touch someone or a surface that is contaminated by the virus.
This explains why it is important to maintain good home and personal hygiene.
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Bacteria-
A bacteria is a single-celled living organism. This means it is a completely self-contained and self-reproducing organism. With the right conditions, the bacteria will split itself in two and multiply to become 2 bacterium.
This continues, with each bacterium being able to divide and multiply, which explains how bacteria survive and multiply so easily.
How can bacteria be killed ? - Because bacteria are living organisms they can be killed by certain chemicals that destroy their cell walls or prevent them from reproducing.
Viruses-
A virus is not a complete organism and therefore survives by finding a living host. Once it enters the body of the host, it finds and enters a living cell. It replaces this cell with its own genetics instructing the virus to multiply and, when the cell is no longer useful to the virus, it is destroyed.
A virus' only role in life is to create more of the same virus to ensure its long term survival. By the time the body's natural defences realise there is an infection, the virus may have taken over vital organs and tissues.
How can a virus be killed ? - A virus is not a living organism and therefore cannot be killed in the same way as bacteria. Usually the virus needs to run its course until the body's natural defence system stops it.
What about anti-viral treatments ? - These work on the principle of blocking the virus's destructive methods to stop it's method of reproduction.
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