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Seasonal Flu: An Overview
Key Facts | Prevention | Diagnosis/Treatment | Learn More
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. It attacks the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) in humans.
Every year in the United States, 5 to 20 percent of the population will get the flu. Of those, more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 will die.
Anyone can become infected, but the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and people with chronic health conditions are more likely to become seriously ill or die from the flu or its complications. The most common complications is pneumonia.
The information below describes the common flu signs and symptoms, ways to protect yourself from the flu and what to do if you get sick
How the Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets when infected people cough and sneeze. The virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. It can also spread when a person touches an object that has been contaminated with droplets and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands.
Studies show that most healthy adults may be able to infect others from one day before becoming sick and for five days after they first develop symptoms. Some young children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer than a week. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Symptoms of the Flu
Symptoms of influenza resemble those of a cold, but come on swiftly and are more pronounced. A person with the flu may experience fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Children can sometimes suffer from nausea and vomiting, but these symptoms are uncommon in adults.
Although the term "stomach flu" is sometimes used to describe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea, these illnesses are caused by certain other viruses, bacteria, or possibly parasites and are rarely related to influenza.
Risks of the Flu
For the vast majority of people, the flu is a mild illness that lasts only a few days and doesn't require any serious treatment. Some people get much sicker and may even need to be hospitalized. Those most at risk for serious illness include people over age 65, young children, pregnant women and anyone with serious long-term health problems. This includes people with asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, immune system problems, diabetes, and blood disorders.
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Preventing the Flu
Get Vaccinated
Influenza viruses are constantly changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended. There are two types of vaccines available:
· A flu shot is a vaccine made with inactivated or killed virus that is administered with a needle. It is approved for use in people older than six months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
· A nasal spray is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. It is approved for healthy people age 2 to 49 who are not pregnant.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to develop that protect against infection.
Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated later in the season can still be beneficial.
Practice Good Health Habits
There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu or any virus for that matter. These are:
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
· If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze.
· Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
· Get plenty of rest, eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly.
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Treating the Flu
What To Do If You Get Sick
· Rest
· Drink plenty of liquids
· Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
· Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu
Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as people 65 years or older, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.
If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications, you should consult your health-care provider. If a family doctor is unavailable, seek treatment from an urgent care center.
Antiviral Medications
Your doctor may recommend you take an antiviral (zanamivir or oseltamivir) medication to help relieve the symptoms.
These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. These medications must be started within 2 days of illness in order to be effective, so it is important to seek medical care early.
For more information, see Questions and Answers: Influenza Antiviral Medications from CDC.
Information for Specific Groups
Information for Special At-Risk Populations
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Learn More
· Key Facts about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine (CDC)
· Quick Facts about Influenza A (“the flu”) (ISDH)
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