Influenza. For young readers. - By Zoriana Krupa INFLUENZA 1

Transcription

1 Influenza For young readers Graphic Acknowledgement Creative Commons, no attribution required. - By Zoriana Krupa INFLUENZA 1

2 Index Chapter 1: What is Influenza? (Page 3) Chapter 2: How do we get sick? (Page 5) Chapter 3: Why is Influenza an 'epidemic'? (Page 6) Chapter 4: Issues in preventing Influenza (Page 7) Chapter 5: What is the nature of getting Influenza? (Page 8) Chapter 6: How might we be able to avoid the impact influenza for good?(page 9) Glossary (Page 10) External links and acknowledgements (Page 12) Want a hint?! For your understanding, in this document, it has little stars (*) next to big words so that you can check the definition (on the glossary page) INFLUENZA 2

3 Chapter 1: What is Influenza? Have you ever wondered what influenza (sometimes called 'the flu') is, or how to avoid it? Influenza is sometimes a serious illness. Normally, in Australia we don t hear the word 'Influenza'. That s because scientists and doctors called it The Flu for short. The flu is an easily spreading disease because of the little microorganisms, which are also known as viruses*. When we get sick, often the cause are extremely tiny viruses which reproduce themselves over and over, spreading rapidly through the cells in our body. These viruses act to destroy healthy cells, making us feel tired and sometimes leading to infections caused by other tiny organisms, called bacteria. Influenza viruses usually don't kill people (although they can!) - but they certainly make us feel unwell! Flu viruses can be passed easily between people, through sneezing, coughing or through contact (touching). Each year, the flu viruses spreads between people so fast it even travels around the globe. Even if Australia is in the middle of summer, you still have a chance of getting the flu. Often when it's getting cooler or during winter months, it is common to get the cold or flu, (which is normal). This is called seasonal* influenza. Inside of a Influenza Virus Graphic Acknowledgement- Erskine. L. Palmer, Ph.D., M. L. Martin, USCDCP. Image via Creative Commons. INFLUENZA 3

4 The spread of the Flu in America In the early 20th Century, someone from Kansas (in America) carried the influenza virus along to Camp Funston. Camp Funston was a U.S army training site, southwest of Kansas. In the last week of February 1918, a group of fellas named Dean Nilson, Ernest Elliot, John Bottom and several unnamed suffered* America's first severe influenza. The group of young soldiers first arrived to hospital between February 28th and March 2nd. Within three weeks, eleven-hundred troops at Funston were sick need to serious hospitalisation*. This contagious* disease spread like falling dominoes, and in total twenty-four of the thirty-six of the largest army camps experienced an influenza outbreak* that next Spring. Shortly thirty of fifty largest cities in America suffered large percentages of the citizens catching influenza. After this, the first unusual outbreaks of Influenza in Europe occurred where American troops disembarked*. The Flu spread quickly, in concentric* circles. Still, although many got sick, these outbreaks were generally mild* compared to the ones in the U.S. During the time of the great Flu outbreak, most Americans wore masks over their mouths and noses to protect themselves. The sickness lasted from Graphic Acknowledgement - National Photo Company photograph. Image via Creative Commons. CrossLitterCarriersSpanishFluWashingtonDC.jpg. No known copyright restrictions. INFLUENZA 4

5 Chapter 2: How do you really get sick? Most of the time, we get sick but we don't know how. That's because we don't know that our sickness already forms within us without us knowing. Sickness is caused by (pathogens) germs such as bacterias, many types of fungi, viruses and (parasites) small animals/insect that lives somewhere else than it's home (sort of like a leech). Physically, we cannot see sickness forming through the naked eye. It would take a microscope to see sickness forming. This is how scientists create cures for your sickness. Did you know? Fungi are a little group living organisms? Graphic Acknowledgement /?no_redirect. No attribution required. INFLUENZA 5

6 Chapter 3: Why is Influenza an 'epidemic'? The 1918 Influenza outbreak was the deadliest pandemic ever recorded. Many innocent people died during this time. However, the Flu still exists, even though today the sickness is often mild, even without vaccination. For the elderly and for young children, Flu can nevertheless be deadly. Being vaccinated against Flu is very important in Australia. Recently our Prime Minister made a proclamation that any children who were not vaccinated could soon be banned from public childcare services: - "This has got to be a concerted national effort by all governments to ensure that all of our children are vaccinated," - "No jab, no pay, no play. And the result of that is a healthier, safer Australia" Before you read! Definition of epidemic: A disease or sickness that spreads very quickly. Definition of pandemic: A disease which spreads over a Currently, the population of Australians vaccinated are in high at 93%. However, the government want to raise it higher to 95%. ( Information listed on: ) Even if you are vaccinated you still have a chance of 0.7% in the Australian population of catching influenza. Data Support Acknowledgement- Copyright Photo Zoriana Krupa 2017 INFLUENZA 6

7 Chapter 4: Issues in preventing Influenza Influenza is very hard to prevent. Graphic Acknowledgement /?no_redirect. No attribution required. Here are some issues that can still occur when you try and prevent it: ~ It is still possible to go to hospital after being vaccinated. ~ Even if it's not winter you can still get Influenza during Summer (you will be sick from seasonal influenza, which happens through the whole year) ~ If you don't get vaccinated, you can be facing death related sickness Did you know... People who suffered the Spanish Influenza had the high chance of even dying from the viruses. Fun Fact: You might have noticed that whenever summer finishes, that is the time where you'll find the most commercials about getting flu vaccinations INFLUENZA 7

8 Chapter 5: What is the nature of getting Influenza? Do you know what's really happening when you get sick? Normally, we think we get sick so suddenly... when the disease process has started much earlier than you think! Once it starts this process, you cannot turn it back. Medication can help but it can really only make the process of getting well faster, or serve to kill the pain a little. It is very common to get Influenza during winter, so you'll probably end up sick with the Flu at some point. We can get the viruses from other people though: ~ Viruses that are left on commonly touched surfaces ~ Unwashed hands ~ Not covering our mouth when we cough ~ Viruses carried though the air when people sneeze Usually we can stop spreading Flu viruses by using most of the good manners we get taught. Graphic Acknowledgement /?no_redirect. No attribution required. INFLUENZA 8

9 Chapter 6: How might we be able to avoid the impact of Influenza for good? Like mentioned before being vaccinated only hurts a little and can help you lot in your life. The Flu vaccine can help you avoid severe Influenza. To take the vaccine, a needle is injected inside you which introduces special virus-killing microorganisms into your body. If you are afraid of needles doctors may also offer nasal sniff vaccination. What's a Influenza Vaccine? A Influenza vaccine has side effects of: ~ Chills ~ Cough ~ Decreased Appetite ~ Fever ~ Headaches ~ Stuffy or runny nose ~ And many more Tip: Make sure to use hand sanitiser on your hands if there is no sink. Graphic Acknowledgement- No attribution required. INFLUENZA 9

10 Glossary Bacteria: - Bacteria are very small organisms. These organisms sometimes cause diseases, however, many bacteria are actually good for us! Seasonal: - Happening or during a particular time of the year, depending on a season. Virus: - A bad microorganism that spreads fast Severe: - Very strong or very bad Hospitalisation: - Admission to hospital for treatment Suffer(-ed): - Injury or pain Contagious: - Something very easy to catch from others Disembarked: - To remove or leave a boat, plane or train Concentric: - The shape of circle, spreading outwards from one another. Mild: - Gentle or not extreme. An Example of concentric circles Graphic Acknowledgementhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Urantia_three-concentricblue-circles-on-white_symbol.svg. Public domain no attribution. INFLUENZA 10

11 Acknowledgements and Extra Informational Websites Acknowledgements: - Web MD: Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Health: College of Physicians, Philadelphia (USA): Australian Department of Health: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA): - Extra Websites and Information: - Queensland Department of Health: - conditions.health.qld.gov.au/healthcondition/condition/14/217/82 - Videos: ~ (For encouragement to get the influenza vaccine - 'Sid the Science Kid (Jim Henson Productions. About 30 minutes.) - ~ (Information about Influenza - Flu and Flu vaccines (Made by BrainPOP UK. About 4 minutes long) - INFLUENZA 11