What is the Flu?
"Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death." (CDC.gov) There are numerous different strains of the virus that can cause the illness. The vaccine only covers certain strains of the virus, usually the most common that make people sick each year. These include influenza A, influenza B, and influenza C.
Signs and Symptoms
The most reported sign or symptom of the flu is fever or feeling feverish/chills. Not everyone will have a temperature. A person will also display coughing, sore throat, and runny/stuffy nose. Headaches and/or body aches and fatigue are also common signs of the flu. According to Flu.gov, "some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults." It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages. A high fever with a sudden onset and extreme fatigue is indicative that you have the flu versus just a cold.
Are you at risk for Flu-related complications?
Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
Adults 65 years of age and older
Pregnant women
People who have medical conditions including:
-Asthma
-Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
-Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
-Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
-Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
-Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
-Kidney disorders
-Liver disorders
-Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)
Adults 65 years of age and older
Pregnant women
People who have medical conditions including:
-Asthma
-Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
-Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
-Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
-Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
-Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
-Kidney disorders
-Liver disorders
-Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids)
People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)
Everyday steps to keep you healthy...
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®).
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®).
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Should you or Should you not??
That is the question! Well, if you fall into the high risk for complications category, you need to be first in line to get your vaccine. Also, here are some other people who need to be vaccinated:
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
-Health care workers
-Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
-Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (children younger than 6 months are at highest risk of flu-related complications but are too young to get vaccinated)
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Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
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 Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group)
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
-Health care workers
-Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
-Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 5 years of age with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (children younger than 6 months are at highest risk of flu-related complications but are too young to get vaccinated)
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Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
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 Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group)
People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen
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