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News Release
Flu Facts What is the flu? – It is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Usually these viruses circulate from late September through April every year. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea more often occur in children. The flu is contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets. Why should we be concerned? – 36,000 people die in the U.S. from flu every year. There are complications from the flu like pneumonias. The very young, the older population and those with weakened immune system are more vulnerable to getting very sick from the flu. When is a person contagious? – Persons who have the flu are most contagious one day before and up to five days after symptoms appear. Flu vaccine – Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. Both injection and nasal spray vaccines are available. Check with your doctor to see if you can get the live intranasal vaccine. A different flu vaccine is made every year based from the strains of flu that last circulated in the past seasons and are predicted to be in circulation during the flu season. In some years there may be a strain of flu that is not covered by the vaccine. If you get infected by one of these strains after vaccination, the course of the flu often is milder. Who should get vaccinated? – The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that these individuals receive flu vaccine; children 6 to 59 months old and mothers or caregivers of these individuals and children; persons 50 and older ; individuals who live or work in hospitals, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities; adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a weakened immune system; and women who are pregnant during the flu season. Check the Centers for Disease Control website (cdc.gov) Other preventive steps – In addition to getting vaccinated, avoid contact with sick people, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and most importantly, wash your hands thoroughly and often. If you get the flu – Stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, refrain from smoking and drinking, and take over-the-counter medications for fever and headaches. Do NOT give aspirin to children and teenagers. Antibiotics do not work on flu viruses, but some antiviral medications are available; if started early, antiviral drugs may help to decrease the duration and severity of the flu. Your doctor can provide more information. Sore throat and fever associated with the flu usually last about four days, while nasal discharge and cough may continue for several weeks. Complications from the flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.
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