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Health, Influenza

Show All Answers

1. What is influenza (the flu)?

Influenza is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It affects the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). Influenza is different from a cold and can range from mild to severe illness, and can lead to death.

2. What are the symptoms of influenza?

Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Dry cough
• Body aches
• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness (may be extreme)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are more common among children than adults

3. What are some complications of influenza?

Some complications may be bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions - such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may also get sinus problems and ear infections.

4. How is the influenza virus spread from one person to another?

Influenza is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends respiratory droplets into the air. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza. Influenza may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has influenza viruses on it - a door handle, for instance - and then touches his or her nose or mouth.

5. Is influenza contagious?

A person can spread influenza before he or she feels sick. Adults can continue to pass the influenza virus to others for another three to seven days after symptoms start. Children can pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the influenza virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.

6. What should I do if I get the flu?

• Stay home if you are sick
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
• Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu
• Good respiratory hygiene should be encouraged, including washing of hands

Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms. Giving aspirin to children or teenagers with influenza can result in a rare, but serious illness called Reye Syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.

Influenza is caused by a virus; therefore antibiotics (like penicillin) do not work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get flu shot each fall, before flu season begins. In this community the best time is during the months of October and November, since the worst part of our flu season is usually January and February. Since influenza viruses can change each year, influenza vaccines must be developed for each season, and yearly influenza vaccination is needed for protection.

7. How do you keep from getting the flu?

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall, and to practice good health habits. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Also, cover our mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Additionally, stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Also, washing your hands often will help to prevent the spread of germs. Wash all surfaces, including the backs of hands, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails for a minimum of 20 seconds with warm soapy running water. Rinse well and dry hands with a clean towel, paper towel, or air dyer.