每天读一篇英语小故事： Avoid the Flu

英语自学网

　　Flu season occurs annually in countries that have cold weather in the
winter. Although the influenza virus is alive throughout the world in all four
seasons, it seems to have its greatest impact on humans during the winter.
Scientists are not sure why. They think it’s because in the winter people are
indoors and close together for longer periods of time. Also, the virus might be
able to live longer and be stronger in colder weather. Finally, indoor air can
dry up the mucous that helps protect people from the virus.
        　　In the U.S., the virus is not something to sneeze at. It kills about 36,000
people annually (most of them elderly). It also causes almost 250,000 people to
end up in a hospital bed annually.
        　　Scientists develop a preventive flu shot for people to take as winter
begins. This shot is not guaranteed to prevent flu; scientists can only guess at
which virus might be the most dangerous in the upcoming season. The shot
protects against only that particular virus. For those who do not get the shot,
influenza spreads among them easily. It takes only a sneeze, a cough, or a
touch. Victims frequently get ill from shaking hands, opening doors, or handling
money.
        　　Most infected people will have a fever, sore throat, and cough. But the
symptoms are often mild and last for only a week. For many others, however,
symptoms can be so severe and prolonged that victims end up in bed for weeks, or
in the hospital, or in the cemetery.