AP+FLU+Summary

How is the FLU SPREAD? The Flu is spread when someone coughs, sneezes, or touches something releasing the tiny particles of the virus. Someone else in the room breathes in the viral particles and they attach to themselves to the nose, throat, and lungs. The damage to the cells in the nose, thorat, and mouth causes the person infected to cough and releasing the flu to other people. If someone who has the flu touches something, such as a doorknob, and then someone who doesnt have the flu touch it and then they touch there nose, mouth, or eyes, they could get the flu.

Why is the FLU SERIOUS? The flu is serious because you can get pneumonia because your lungs are weakened. Besides the normal symptoms of the flu it coupld be more serious such as bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, chronic medical conditions such as heart failure, asthma, cancer, and diabetes can all be made worse. You can also get bronchitis or it might lead to death.

What are the benefits and risks of a FLU VACCINE? The benefits of getting the vaccine is that you won't get the flu and it won't spread to other people. It also prevents FLU- related death because 36 thousand people have die in the US because their their immune system is not strong enough to fight the disease. Prevents Severe illness. The FLU puts 200 thousand people in the hospital each year over 65 yrs. and under 2 yrs. old. Finally it protects other people, if you are around older people and under 2 yrs. old you should get a vaccine b/c they don't have a strong immune system.