Three different viruses cause influenza. They are all caused by breathing in infected droplets of air that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected individual. Influenza A is the strain that causes the most epidemics as it mutates regularly. B causes mild outbreaks and C is quite similar to the common cold. The most devastating epidemic of modern times is believed to have occurred in 1918, that epidemic is estimated to have cost more than 20 million lives.
Complications can arise when the flu escalates to pneumonia.
Influenza shots are the only known remedies for the flu. They are recommended for people over the age of 65 and for those with heart and lung problems. The difficulty with flu shots is that you have to take one every year as the strains mutate continuously. The best time to get a needle is before the end of November, the start of the flu season. Other than the shot, the best way to get over the flu is to drink plenty of water and juice and to get lots of rest.