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The Hong Kong flu is caused by the H3N2 subtype of the flu virus, which can infect birds, mammals, and humans. It can be transmitted through direct contact, respiratory droplets, and even gastrointestinal, hematogenous, and sexual pathways. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and fatigue. Bed rest and antiviral drugs can help treat the disease, which can lead to pneumonia, asthma, and fetal development problems during pregnancy. The Hong Kong flu pandemic of 1968-1969 caused one million deaths and still affects many countries every year, but it is considered mild compared to other flu pandemics.
The Hong Kong flu is a type of seasonal flu caused by a subtype of the flu virus called H3N2. The H3N2 strain is capable of infecting birds and mammals, as well as humans. It causes symptoms similar to those of a common cold, so people often ignore it until their condition gets worse. The Hong Kong flu, however, can cause serious illness and even lead to death if not dealt with properly.
Like any other influenza virus, the H3N2 subtype has two distinct proteins on its surface. These proteins are called hemagglutinin, represented by the letter H, and neuraminidase, represented by the letter N. They are thought to have formed due to an antigenic shift or gene reassortment of several existing flu strains. In particular, the H3N2 subtype has been shown to have genes from extant bird, swine, and human influenza A strains.
The H3N2 influenza A virus can cause the Hong Kong flu when it is transmitted from a person who has the virus to a person who is not immune to the virus. Transmission can take place through several routes. The most common routes are through direct contact and respiratory droplets. This means that simply being in the same room with an infected person or touching their belongings could cause transmission of the Hong Kong flu.
It is also said that the H3N2 virus can be transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract; hematogenous, or blood; and sexual pathways. A person can become infected by eating contaminated food, having a transfusion of contaminated blood, or having sexual contact with an infected person. Fetal transmission can also occur when a pregnant woman contracts the virus.
Symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, cough and sore throat. Headaches, fever, joint and muscle pain, chills, and fatigue may also occur. Symptoms typically last 4 to 5 days. A patient may feel so sick that they lose their appetite and feel weak. If not properly addressed, the disease can lead to pneumonia and asthma or exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In children it can cause high fever and seizures. It can also lead to fetal development problems during pregnancy.
Bed rest aids in recovery and prevents further transmission of the virus. To relieve the symptoms of fever and pain, aspirin or acetaminophen can be taken. Adequate fluid intake is essential to prevent dehydration. Your doctor may give you antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if deemed appropriate.
The first global pandemic occurred between 1968 and 1969 and is believed to have caused one million deaths. This disease still holds pandemic status because it affects more countries every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it a category 2 flu pandemic because it causes only a fatality rate of between 0.1 and 0.5 percent. This means that for every thousand people who get the flu, one to five die from the infection. Therefore, compared to other flu pandemics, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the Hong Kong flu pandemic is considered mild.
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