How to Prevent Influenza
Essay title: How to Prevent Influenza
General Purpose: Problem solving
Specific Purpose: I want the students to learn how to prevent influenza
Thesis Statement: Influenza can be prevented with simple preventive measures
INTRODUCTION:
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is one of the most common infectious diseases. It can be deadly.
The flu affects everybody. It is a source of illness and death every flu season, which runs roughly through the fall and early winter months. Although for most people the infection is mild, since the early 1970s, researchers estimate that influenza has caused more than 40,000 deaths in the United States every year, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.
BODY:
(Problem)
The flu virus can be spread when the virus is
sneezed or coughed into the air. Although simply
being in a room with someone who has the flu is
not a major risk factor. Infection occurs when a
person has direct contact with the virus
There are several factors that influence the
risk of being infected:
Level of immunity against a particular
strain of influenza
Overall health of the persons immune
system
Overall nutritional and general health
status
Nutrition has recently been singled out
as the most important factor in
resistance to influenza infection
The incubation period for the flu ranges from
about 18 to 72 hours, depending on the strain
the effectiveness of the bodys immune
response. The weaker the persons immunity,
sooner it produces noticeable symptoms.
Symptoms of influenza include a high fever and
sharp headache, and they often come on
suddenly. The severity of
these symptoms
often peaks by the second day.
After that,
the fever usually subsides and
symptoms
begin to appear in the respiratory tract.
People who have weak immune systems, such as
the elderly, sick people, or young children,
therefore be quickly overwhelmed by
strong strains of the virus.
In the case of the influenza virus, antibodies
against the flu are detected in the second
week after primary infection. These antibodies
will help protect against similar strains of
the flu in the future.
(Solution)
The best approach to the flu is to avoid getting
sick in the first place.
Here a the steps to avoid catching the
flu virus:
Get a flu vaccine, however, this only helps
against specific strains and it is not
100%
protection
Take nutrients or vitamin supplements that have
been shown to enhance the
immune system, such as
vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Zinc
Get enough sleep, reduce stress, and exercise
Some herbs that have been shown to help are
Echinacea, elderberry, and ginseng
Wash your hands