Dinoflu

Dinosaur-related Influenza, commonly known as "Dinoflu", is an infectious disease of large repitiles and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses.

A highly infectious disease, believed to have originated in the Megadon population. How it mutated and made the transition to humans is, at this stage (3214), unknown. It is particularly virulent in the genetic Naturals population. Genetic Perfects are known to be highly resistant to the virus.

DinoFlu can lead to pneumonia, either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia, even for persons who are usually very healthy.

Typically, influenza is transmitted through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus. However, Dinoflu can also be transmitted by direct contact with Megadon droppings or bodily secretions, or through contact with contaminated surfaces.

There is a theory, as yet unproved, that the virus can exist in dormant form in Megadon meat products.

This form of influenza is one of the most virulent ever known and is resistant to many of the more usual prophilactic measures.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include

• Fever and extreme coldness (chills shivering, shaking (rigor))
  
• Cough
  
• Nasal congestion and runny nose
  
• Body aches, especially joints and throat
  
• Fatigue
  
• Headache
  
• Irritated, watering eyes
  
• Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
  
• Petechial Rash
  
• In children, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain may be severe.
  

Treatment

Current vaccines and genetic therapies are known to have some effect, and dino-flu vaccines have been developed that are being deployed on some worlds.
However the new DF vaccines are expensive and not always available on poorer colony worlds, so treatment quality varies.