Seasonal Influenza – Flu Basics You Need to Know
It is flu season once again as Fall is coming in! Learn some flu basics in preparation for winter 2011.
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness including death. People at highest risk for complications are young children, older people, and people with certain health conditions. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
Signs and symptoms of flu
• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Occasional vomiting and diarrhea (more common for children)
How is the flu spread? The flu is spread by droplets made when people cough, sneeze, or talk.
Period of contagiousness. The period of contagiousness usually begin 1 day before symptoms are felt and last for 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
Complications of the flu. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Preventing seasonal flu: Get vaccinated. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season.
• “Flu shots” — inactivated vaccines (contain killed virus) that are given with a needle. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common.
Who should get vaccinated?
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). Key Facts about Influenza (flu) and Flu vaccine.