Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC - 2 views
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What is influenza (also called flu)?
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The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. 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 vaccine each year.
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Signs and symptoms of flu
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People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
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Fever*
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though this is more common in children than adults.
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It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
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How flu spreads
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Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
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Period of contagiousness
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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. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
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How serious is the flu?
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Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:
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Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
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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.
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Prevent seasonal flu: Get vaccinated
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The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are several flu vaccine options for the 2014-2015 flu season.Traditional flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available. In addition, flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines) also are available.
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Trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B virus.
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While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.
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When to get vaccinated against seasonal flu
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Yearly flu vaccination should begin soon after flu vaccine is available, and ideally by October. However, getting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating.
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The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
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Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
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The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.
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Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
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ay be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
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You can have the flu even before you realize it. This is an important factor on why you should get a vaccine. -
You can have the flu even before you realize it. This is an important factor on why you should get a vaccine.
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flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk
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It is important to WASH your hands after you have direct contact with anything.
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It is important to WASH your hands after you have direct contact with anything.
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viruses that infect the nose, throat, and
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he flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza
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lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
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Fever* or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (very tired) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
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droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby
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might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus
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hen touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
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may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
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specially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time
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what flu viruses are spreading, how much flu vaccine is available when vaccine is available how many people get vaccinated, and how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness.
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prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season
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congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
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Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions
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virus. The following trivalent flu vaccines are available:
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flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines)
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several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season.
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Trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B
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are manufactured using virus grown in eggs
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approved for people of different ages.
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flu shots are given with a needle
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re approved for use in people as young as 6 months of age
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standard dose tr
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ivalent shot also can be given with a jet injector(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/jet-injector.htm), for persons aged 18 through 64 years. A high-dose trivalent shot(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm), a
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pproved for people 65 and older.
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A trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/cell-based.htm), which is approved for people 18 and older.
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A recombinant trivalent shot that is egg-free(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_flublok-vaccine.htm), approved for people 18 years and older.
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he quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.
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Yearly flu vaccination should begin soon after flu vaccine is available, and ideally by October
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etting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating
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Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.
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Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.
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Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza
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contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.
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Clear definition of Influenza, followed by brief description of effects as well "the best" preventative method
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contagious respiratory illness
