INFLUENZA (Flu)

The flu is an illness caused by a virus. Like a cold, it attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can sometimes lead to other problems like pneumonia, ear and sinus problems, dehydration, and worsening of asthma. For most of us, the flu will go away in one-two weeks.

Mode of infection

• The flu is easily passed from person to person by coughing and sneezing.
• A person can also get the flu by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Most likely to be affected from flu

Everyone is at risk for getting the flu, but for some people the flu can cause serious illness. Those most at risk include:

• Older adults (over age 65)
• Pregnant women
• Very young children
• Adults and children (6 months and older) who have heart or lung disease, including asthma.
• Adults and children (6 months and older) who have diabetes, kidney or blood problems.
• People with HIV/AIDS, cancer or any condition that make it harder to fight off disease
• Children and teens (6 months to 18 years) who take aspirin for a long time
• People who live in nursing homes and other health care facilities
• Workers in hospitals or clinics who are around lots of people who have the flu. These people should contact their doctor or clinic if they have flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Headache and muscle ache
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Throwing up or diarrhea (more common in children).

When suffering from flu one should

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of water or other liquids like juice and soup
• Don't spread germs! Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, wash hands often, and STAY HOME!
• Don't smoke or drink alcohol.

Many other diseases can feel like the flu, but they need different treatments. Always go to your doctor or clinic if you feel worse.

Drugs to treat the flu

There are a number of products that may help you feel better:

• Prescription medicines can lessen the symptoms or the time of sickness with the flu. The doctor or clinic will help to decide whether these drugs are right for a particular individual.
• Over-the-counter medicines can help with flu symptoms such as sore throat, stuffy nose, cough, fever and body aches. However:
• Never give aspirin to children or teens that might have the flu. It can cause serious problems or even death. Call the doctor or clinic first.
• If already taking prescription medicines, ask the doctor or pharmacist which flu medicines that can be safely used. For example, some over-the-counter flu products have medicines to treat a stuffy nose (decongestants), which can raise your blood pressure or even make your blood pressure medicines less effective.
• No medicine can take the place of the flu vaccine

Steps to prevent spreading influenza

• Wash hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, and wiping or blowing the nose.
• Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Use paper tissues when wiping or blowing the nose; throw tissues away after each use.
• Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible.
• Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.
• Certain antiviral medications may prevent illness.

Benefits of vaccination

• The vaccine prevents the flu in 70% to 90% of young, healthy adults.
• The vaccine however doesn’t do as well at preventing flu in older adults and people with certain medical problems. But it does reduce the number of these people who die or need a hospital stay because of the flu.

People who are allergic to eggs or who have had a reaction to the flu shot or vaccine should not be given the flu shot or nasal flu spray. Also, talk to your doctor if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The new nasal spray vaccine works by

• This new vaccine can lower the chances of getting the flu. Children 5-8 years old need two doses at least 6 weeks apart in their first year of getting the Flu Mist, and people 9-49 need one dose.
• Flu Mist should not be given to people with asthma or other lung diseases. Children under the age of 5 should not get the spray.  

Influenza vaccination should be taken by

• Anyone 50 years of age or older.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system.
• Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age who takes chronic aspirin therapy.
• Anyone with a serious long-term health problem such as heart disease, lung disease, or kidney disease.
• Anyone living in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or rehabilitation facility.
• Pregnant women in the 2^nd and 3^rd trimester.
• Anyone coming in close contact with people at risk of complications (for example, health care workers or family members).