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How flu spreads

How serious is 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.

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.

contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.

contagious respiratory illness

It also is important to wash hands often with soap and water.

Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body.

use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Eating utensils can be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap and do not need to be cleaned separately. Further, frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at home, work and school, especially if someone is ill.

To avoid this, people should stay away from sick people and stay home if sick.

Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. 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. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.

one flu season.

Seasonal flu vaccines have a very good safety track record.

If you are sick with a fever, you should wait until your fever is gone before getting a flu shot.

Soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection siteFainting, mainly in adolescentsHeadachesFeverNausea

Possible mild side effects

Runny noseWheezingHeadacheVomitingMuscle achesFever

Serious side effects

Difficulty breathingHoarsenessSwelling around the eyes or lipsHivesPalenessWeaknessRacing heartDizzinessBehavior changesHigh fever

No, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot or the nasal spray.

A severe allergy to chicken eggsA history of severe reaction to a flu vaccinationA moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (you should wait until you are better to get the vaccine)A history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS)

also known as the flu

severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Both type A and type B flu viruses are responsible for the seasonal outbreaks of flu. Type A flu viruses are found in many different animals,

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.

Antiviral drugs may also be prescribed for treating the flu, depending upon the duration of illness, severity of symptoms, and your medical history.

Symptoms include:Child Discipline TacticsDiscipline is the process of teaching your child what type of behavior is acceptable and what type is not acceptable. In other words, discipline teaches a child to follow rules. Discipline may involve both punishment, such as a time out, and, more importantly, rewards. It sounds so straightforward, yet every parent becomes frustrated at one time or another with issues surrounding children and discipline.To read more, click hereRelated to parenting school-age children ADHD, puberty in girls, puberty in boys, learning disabilities, children's health, autism and vaccines, school lunches, getting ready for school, giving the sex talk, children's vitamins, chores for children, overactive bladder in children© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.A high-grade fever up to 104 degrees FChills and shakes with the feverExtreme tirednessHeadache and body achesDry, hacking coughSore throatVomiting and belly pain

Some parents mistake the flu for a stomach bug. That’s because unlike adults, children with the flu can have nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

he illness comes on fast and is more intense than a cold

flu is highly contagious, particularly when kids share close quarters like they do in school classrooms

spreads when they inhale droplets that are coughed up or sneezed by an infected person, or when they come in direct contact with mucus or spit from someone who has the flu.

spread the flu a day before their symptoms start, and 5-7 days after they get sick.

The best way is to get a yearly vaccination. The CDC says all people 6 months and older should get one.  

Pregnant women and caregivers of children younger than 6 months or of children with certain health conditions should get the shot.

influenza is responsible for an average of more than 20,000 deaths annually.[1]

High-dose influenza vaccine appears to have the potential to prevent nearly one-quarter of all breakthrough influenza illnesses in seniors (≥65 y) compared with

-dose vaccine, according to results from a phase IIIb-IV double-blind, active-controlled trial.[

A total of 31,989 participants were randomly assigned to receive either a high dose (IIV3-HD) (60 μg of hemagglutinin per strain) or a standard dose (IIV3-SD) (15 μg of hemagglutinin per strain) of a trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine.

The percentage of seniors with postvaccination hemagglutination-inhibition titers of 1:40

Although reports of at least one serious adverse event were greater in the IIV3-HD group (8.3%) than in the IIV3-SD group (9.0%) (relative risk, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.99), all resolved by the end of the study and none required discontinuation from the study

The presentation of influenza virus infection varies, but it usually includes many of the following signs and symptoms:

Fever Sore throat Myalgias Frontal or retro-orbital headache Nasal discharge Weakness and severe fatigue Cough and other respiratory symptoms Tachycardia Red, watery eyes

Avian influenza (H5N1) is rare in humans in developed countries

Yearly immunization with the inactivated influenza vaccine(What is a PDF document?) (flu shot) or the nasal spray flu vaccine(What is a PDF document?) prevents flu infection and its complications in most people.

Yearly immunization with the inactivated influenza vaccine(What is a PDF document?) (flu shot) or the nasal spray flu vaccine(What is a PDF document?) prevents flu infection and its complications in most people.

Have heart disease.

Have diabetes or kidney disease.Have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system.

rompt treatment can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.

The most effective way to prevent influenza is by getting the influenza vaccine (the flu shot or flu nasal spray) and using simple infection control measures such as hand washing. Antiviral medicines can also help prevent infection if you are exposed to the flu.

 Because the influenza virus changes (or "mutates") slightly from year to year, you need a new influenza vaccine before each flu season. People should get the flu vaccine soon after it has become available to get the most benefit.

People who are vaccinated form antibodies (proteins), which destroy the influenza virus after the person is exposed. It generally takes about two weeks to make these antibodies.

Vaccine formulations — The flu vaccine is available in three forms in the United States, as an injection into the muscle, as an injection into the skin, and as a nasal spray

The injection of the flu vaccine into the muscle (regular flu shot) is approved for adults and children 6 months and older. In older adults, a high-dose version of this vaccine works a little better than the standard-dose version;

The injection of flu vaccine into the skin in what is called an intradermal injection is approved for adults aged 18 to 64 years.

The nasal spray is approved only for healthy children age 2 years and older and healthy adults up to 49 years. In 2014, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the nasal spray instead of the regular flu shot for healthy children 2 to 8 years of age when it is immediately available.

Vaccine side effects — People who get the vaccine as an injection (either into muscle or skin) can have reactions at the injection site. Intramuscular injections can cause redness, swelling, and/or soreness at the site. Intradermal injections can cause redness, swelling, and/or itching. The high-dose intramuscular vaccine and the intradermal vaccine are more likely to cause local reactions than the standard-dose intramuscular vaccine

Antiviral medicines can help to reduce the chances of developing the flu after being exposed to someone who is infected. These medicines can also be used in certain people who are at risk for developing complications from the flu and who cannot receive the flu vaccine.

INFLUENZA VACCINE

Children 0-4 years of age have the second-highest hospitalization rate this season.

Symptoms of influenza infection include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue (tiredness), and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults).

The United States experiences epidemics of seasonal flu each year. This time of year is called "flu season." While influenza activity has declined in recent weeks and the flu season is coming to a close, most of CDC’s influenza surveillance systems still show elevated activity.

There are several factors that make it difficult to determine accurate numbers of deaths caused by flu regardless of reporting.

the sheer volume of deaths to be counted; not everyone that dies with an influenza-like illness is tested for influenza; and influenza-associated deaths are often a result of complications secondary to underlying medical problems, and this may be difficult to sort out.

Flu viruses are constantly changing and it's not unusual for new seasonal flu viruses to appear each year.

When viruses change in that way, they are said to be “drifted” viruses.

he timi

g of flu

s very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season

However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm) for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.

In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/index.htm) like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.

A number of different manufacturers produce trivalent (three component) influenza vaccines for the U.S. market, including intramuscular (IM), intradermal, and nasal spray vaccines.

Multiple studies conducted over different seasons and across vaccine types and influenza virus subtypes have shown that the body’s immunity to influenza viruses (acquired either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time.

Yes. It’s possible to get sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated (although you won’t know for sure unless you get a flu test). This is possible for the following reasons:

You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in you becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect you. (About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection develop in the body.) You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different flu viruses that circulate every year. The flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common. Unfortunately, some people can become infected with a flu virus the flu vaccine is designed to protect against, despite getting vaccinated. Protection provided by flu vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, the flu vaccine works best among healthy younger adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. Flu vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best way to protect against flu infection.

Some of the complications caused by flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

more severe and last longer than those of the cold.

Recovery takes about one to two weeks. Influenza can be deadly, especially for the weak, old or chronically ill.

Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but others will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia). Millions of people in the United States (about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents) are infected with influenza each year.

influenza A

Influenza is an extremely variable disease; similar viruses are found in pigs and domestic fowl.

It is possible to get vaccinated against influenza

People at high risk for complications from the flu; People 65 years and older; People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses; Adults and children 6 months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma; Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]); Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.); Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; and All children 6 to 23 months of age.

There are some people who should not be vaccinated. This includes: 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

People who are sick with a fever. (These people can get vaccinated once their symptoms lessen.)

flu season runs from October to May

The vaccine prevents against infection from the flu viruses that researchers predict will be most common in the upcoming year

most cases occurring between late December and early March

For a severely ill child or one with other special circumstances, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can decrease the duration of illness by 1-2 days and prevent potential complications of the flu

If an antiviral medication is prescribed, be sure to discuss any possible side effects with your doctor.

Given as an injection, the flu shot contains killed flu viruses that will not cause the flu, but will prepare the body to fight off infection from that particular type of live flu virus if someone comes into contact with it.

Symptoms, which usually begin about 2 days after exposure to the virus, can include: fever chills headache muscle aches dizziness loss of appetite tiredness cough sore throat runny nose nausea or vomiting weakness ear pain diarrhe

all kids 6 months through 4 years old anyone 65 years and older all women who are pregnant, are considering pregnancy, have recently given birth, or are breastfeeding during flu season anyone whose immune system is weakened from medications or illnesses (like HIV infection) residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes any adult or child with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma kids or teens who take aspirin regularly and are at risk for developing Reye syndrome if they get the flu all health care personnel caregivers or household contacts of anyone in a high-risk group (like children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 6 months, and those with high-risk conditions) Native Americans and Alaskan natives

The nasal mist contains weakened live flu viruses that cannot cause the severe symptoms typically associated with the flu, but can cause some mild symptoms

drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration get plenty of sleep and take it easy take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches (do not give aspirin to children or teens as it may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome) wear layers, since the flu often makes them cold one minute and hot the next (wearing layers — like a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and robe — makes it easy to add or subtract clothes as needed)

Kids who are sick should stay home from school and childcare until they are without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

So to have the best protection against the flu, it's important to get the vaccine every year.

It is given in places like hospitals, clinics, community centers, pharmacies, doctor's offices, and schools

infants under 6 months old anyone who's ever had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination anyone with Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare condition that affects the immune system and nerves)

After 5 days, fever and other symptoms have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue

Call the doctor if your child:

has flu symptoms has a high fever, or fever with a rash has trouble breathing or rapid breathing has bluish skin color is not drinking enough fluids seems very sleepy or lethargic seems confused has flu symptoms that get better, but then get worse

All symptoms are usually gone within a week or two

The flu is contagious, spread by virus-infected droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air

The flu usually occurs in small outbreaks, but epidemics — when the illness spreads rapidly and affects many people in an area at the same time — tend to occur every few years. Epidemics often peak within 2 or 3 weeks after the first cases occur.

Preventing the Flu From Spreading There's no guaranteed way — including being vaccinated — to prevent anyone from getting the flu

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating. Never pick up used tissues. Never share cups and eating utensils. Stay home from work or school when you're sick with the flu. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash. If a tissue isn't available, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not into your hands.