The Flu

Many people will casually say that they have the flu, due to the sniffles, headache, cough, but still manage to get through the day; work, school, commuting, etc., while still maintaining adequate energy levels, overall. They can function. However, the flu is actually a virulent infection (a respiratory illness), that often leads to pneumonia - water in the lungs, and can quickly lead to death.

Stories in the news recently are cause for concern, as age groups that were generally unaffected with the flu, nor had a history of the illness, or other related respiratory, bronchial, or sinus infections, are entering the hospitals and health clinics in droves. Many of these people are entering emergency rooms, and being immediately put on life support.

Recently, a teenager who was healthy, and a member of a sports team, became ill and was dead within six days, it having been determined that he had the virulent MRSA infection. A young mother was sick on a Thursday, and dead by the following Monday, having been diagnosed with the A and B strains of the swine flu, which I read is no longer called that, because it is so common.

What can be done to prevent, or alleviate the symptoms/severity of the illness?

I've heard on talk radio that the flu shot is mutating into other strands of the flu. I don't know the accuracy of this. What are the opinions of why this seems to be escalating now?

Many items one might have on hand in their kichen, are said to be helpful in treating the flu, either as an alternative to pharmaceuticals, or for relieving symptoms, are:

Honey, elderberry syrup, herbal teas, hot peppers, etc.

Flu Can Kill Quickly, Taking Lives of Healthy Children

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=17820500

Healthy Texas Mom Dies of Flu at 29, Leaves Three Kids

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=21467701&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2Ftopics%2Flifestyle%2Fhealth%2Fswine-flu.htm

Symptoms and Treatment

http://www.flu.gov/symptoms-treatment/treatment/

Flu News, Articles and Information:

http://www.naturalnews.com/flu.html

It's been reported that a mystery illness, with flu-like symptoms, is going around the country. Blood-filled lungs, and disintegrating organs is scary stuff, and yet seems to coincide with more of these cases. In two comments in response to an article describing one such death, the posters seem to think it's the ebola virus, or hemorrhagic fever.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Mystery-surrounds-flu-like-illness-that-has-5077230.php