- published: 27 Dec 2011
- views: 465846
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals. The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness/fatigue and general discomfort. Although it is often confused with other influenza-like illnesses, especially the common cold, influenza is a more severe disease than the common cold and is caused by a different type of virus. Influenza may produce nausea and vomiting, particularly in children, but these symptoms are more common in the unrelated gastroenteritis, which is sometimes, inaccurately, referred to as "stomach flu." Approximately 33% of persons with influenza are asymptomatic.
On the other side of the spectrum, flu can occasionally lead to pneumonia, either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia, even for persons who are usually very healthy. In particular it is a warning sign if a child (or presumably an adult) seems to be getting better and then relapses with a high fever as this relapse may be bacterial pneumonia. Another warning sign is if the person starts to have trouble breathing. A 2009 New England Journal of Medicine article stated that it is difficult to tell bacterial from viral pneumonia and recommended that patients with influenza who show signs of pneumonia be treated with both antivirals and antibiotics.
Actors: Michael Bennett Smith (actor), Carlie Nettles (actress), Jaye Sarah Davidson (miscellaneous crew), Michael Copponex (editor), Dexter McDaniel (actor), Tamara McShane (actress), Holly Pearson (actress), Jacob Jester (producer), Jacob Jester (editor), Kate Emery (director), Kate Emery (writer), Jeremy Eckman (actor), Jennifer Marschand (actor), Noah Ginex (actor),
Plot: Enter the hilariously sick mind of Jillian, a timid hypochondriac with a vivid imagination. Instead of making real friends, she hangs out with the diseases she thinks she has: Influenza, Asthma and Mono. Jillian moves into a rural, germ-ridden town just in time for her freshman year of high school. Her 'friends' tag along, ready to keep her safe from the hazards of a ninth-grade social life. When a renegade upperclassman named Dave encourages Jillian to emerge from her shell, she must make a real human connection or remain sick forever.
Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance, Short,