By Jeannie Batson
The Influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu is a highly infectious viral illness. Approximately 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year and about 36,000 die from flu related conditions.
Signs and Symptoms of the Flu
Symptoms of the flu typically appear 1-4 days after exposure and are usually come in these forms:
· Fever of 100-104°F
· Body aches, muscle aches
· Headache (with light sensitivity or pain behind eyes)
· Fatigue
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny nose
Symptoms in children, however, may in addition experience otitis media (aka ear infection), nausea and/or vomiting. Although children are less likely to report typical symptoms as fever and cough--because like all kids, they would rather play than convalesce.
How Does the Flu Spread?
The flu spreads person to person typically through coughing or sneezing near another person, or through contact with exposed surfaces.
Adults are infectious from one day before symptoms begin until five days after onset. However, children are infectious from several days before onset of symptoms to more than 10 days after onset.
Reducing the Risk of Infection
To reduce your risk limit your contact with infected people and wash your hands frequently. Washing your hands is the best way to reduce your risk. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Always cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and be sure to discard the tissue after use. Getting the flu vaccine is another great way to prevent or reduce the severity of the flu and its symptoms.
Benefits of the Flu Vaccine
Receiving the flu vaccine is a good way to prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms. It is known to reduce hospitalizations due to complications among children and elderly.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
All persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce their risk of becoming ill with influenza and reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Health-care personnel and women who are pregnant or will become pregnant during the flu season are recommended to receive the flu shot as well. Adults and children who have any condition that can compromise respiratory functionality; chronic pulmonary (including asthma), or cardiovascular disorders; chronic diseases of the blood, kidneys or liver; anyone who is immunosuppressed (caused by medication or HIV); and anyone over 50 years of age.
Who should not get the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is contraindicated for persons who have had an
anaphylactic reaction to eggs or to a previous dose of the flu vaccine. If you are sick with a moderate to severe acute illness with a fever you should wait until symptoms have resolved before receiving the vaccine. The flu vaccine is also available as a nasal-spray known as live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV); however, this should not be used on persons under 2 years old or persons over 50; pregnant women; or persons with a history of
Guillain-Barre syndrome.
For more information on influenza visit www.cdc.gov/flu and www.immunize.org.