Sponsored by:Glaxo Wellcome

Influenza is a serious illness. It is not a cold or stomach flu. It is a viral infection of the respiratory system that can be spread very quickly and easily through airborne droplets of liquid containing the virus. These droplets usually become airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can then be inhaled or absorbed through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Since influenza is a viral infection it deserves antiviral treatment. Antibiotics are not effective against these germs. The best line of defense available today is a vaccine or "flu shot" which can be taken at the beginning of the flu season or before a person has been infected. Other antiviral medications are also available. GlaxoWellcome is testing and developing an innovative antiviral medication called Relenza. This medication is inhaled once a day and delivered straight to the respiratory system.

The influenza virus infects and replicates primarily in the respiratory system. Patients need to recognize the symptoms of the flu because of the serious complications that can arise. Flu and pneumonia, which is a complication of the flu, are among the top six causes of death in the United States.

Every year there are as many as 50 million cases of flu in the United States and as many as 40,000 deaths. The flu virus is capable of spreading globally and has done so many times throughout history. These epidemics are called pandemics and they can occur about every 10 to 40 years.

The flu takes its toll on U.S. businesses in the form of lost workdays. Each year, sufferers miss about 70 million workdays per year and have another 315 million workdays with diminished performance.

If you have the flu it is important to stay home and get the rest your body needs to fight the infection. Not only does going to work make it harder to recover, it makes it easier for the germs to spread to others and infect them