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What is Influenza (also called Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It
can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way
to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.
Every year in the Arizona, on average:
- 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
- more than 4,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
- about 700 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain
health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Symptoms of Flu
Symptoms of flu include:
- fever (usually high)
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- dry cough
- sore throat
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- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also
can occur but are more common in children than adults
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Complications of 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.
How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing
of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching
something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most
healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before
symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick.
That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you
know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
When you have the
Flu…
- Stay home from work or school, and rest
- Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with fever and body aches
- Wash your hands often to protect other people
- Avoid getting close to other people, especially when coughing or
sneezing
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
When
should someone with influenza see a doctor?
- For serious problems, including:
- When high fever (> 101° F.) lasts more than 3-4 days
- When you are so sick that you or your family cannot take care
of you at home
- Extreme dizziness
- An adult not able to take fluids for 24 hours
- An infant who is not taking fluids and is starting to get
dehydrated (not wetting diapers)
- Not everyone with influenza needs to see a doctor. Most people get
better just with rest and fluids
What can the doctor do
to help?
- May start antiviral medicine for people at high risk for complications
from influenza (such as heart or lung problems or a weakened immune system,
people > 65 years old, or infants)
- Decide if you need additional medicines
- Decide if you need IV fluids or hospitalization
When should someone go
to an emergency department?
- Having trouble breathing
- Being confused or incoherent
- Having a seizure
For these problems, take
the ill person immediately to an emergency department, or call 911.
Preventing the Flu: Get Vaccinated
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall.
There are two types of vaccines:
- The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that
is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in
people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with
chronic medical conditions.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu
viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live
Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2
years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
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.
When to Get Vaccinated
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting
vaccinated in December or January is still beneficial since most
influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. Though it varies,
flu season can last as late as May.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can
get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either
because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or
because they live with or care for high risk persons. During flu seasons when
vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding
priority groups for
vaccination.
People who should get vaccinated each year are:
1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months through 18 years ,
- Pregnant women,
- People 50 years of age and older,
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for
complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the
flu (see above)
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6
months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.
Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
Vaccination with the nasal spray vaccine is an option for healthy persons aged 2-49 years who are not pregnant. Healthy persons 2-49 years who live with or care for those in a high risk group can get the nasal spray vaccine. The one exception is healthy persons who care for those with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected environment; these healthy persons should get inactivated flu vaccine.
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician.
They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the
past.
- People who developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza
vaccine previously.
- Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved
for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to
get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your
health-care provider. Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu
for national updates on flu information. Information on flu activity in
Arizona can be found at
http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/epi/flu/index.htm
Note:
A number of the links on this page are PDF files and require Acrobat
Reader™ to
view.
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