Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
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General
Information |
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What is seasonal influenza or flu? |
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The
flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It attacks
the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs) and can cause mild to
severe illness, and even death. In the United States, influenza is more
prevalent in the winter, but can occur year round. The height of flu season
generally ranges from November through March, and even past March or before
November in some years. |
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Every
year in the United States, on average:
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5% to 20% of the population gets the flu
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more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
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about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu
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Both the flu and cold are caused by viruses and it may be
difficult to diagnose without testing. Your primary care
physician may elect to test if you are in the first few days
of your illness. In general, however, the flu is more severe
and symptoms come on suddenly. These may include:
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Fever (usually high)
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Headache
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Tiredness (can be extreme)
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Dry cough
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Sore throat
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Nasal congestion (runny or stuffy nose)
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Body aches
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Some, especially children, may experience stomach symptoms
(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Complications of Flu
Some people, such as older people, young
children, and people with certain health conditions, are at
high risk for serious flu complications. 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.
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. People may also
become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it
and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may
be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms
develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. 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.
Here are a few tips to keep you healthy and prevent others
from being infected:
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Avoid
close contact with sick individuals or well people if you are
sick! When you are
sick, stay home from work or school, and let others run errands for you!
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Practice
frequent hand washing -
Clean your hands with soap and water often or use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not
available. It is especially important to clean your hands
before touching your face (eyes, nose or mouth). Remember that
viruses can be found on doorknobs, light switches and many
other surfaces.
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Cough or
sneeze in a disposable tissue or your elbow -
Use a tissue to catch
your cough or sneeze, don’t forget to dispose of it right
away! Be sure to wash your hands after disposing of the
tissue. If you do not have a tissue available, turn your head
to the side and cough or sneeze in your sleeve or elbow!
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Practice
good health habits all year long!
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress,
drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
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And last
but not least get vaccinated every year!
The single best way to
prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.
There
are two types of vaccines:
- The "flu shot" is the
needle injection of an inactivated (dead virus) vaccine in the
upper arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months
of age and older, including healthy people and people with
chronic medical conditions.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live,
weakened flu viruses. Contrary to popular myth, the use of
live, weakened viruses do not cause the flu. This vaccine is
sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”
and is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years
of age. However, pregnant women or healthy persons who are
caring for individuals with severely weakened immune systems
who require a protected environment should get the inactivated
vaccine (flu shot).
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that
protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will
not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza
viruses.
Each year in October a new flu vaccine is released before the
expected peak months of the influenza season. October or
November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting
vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial
since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in
most years.
In general, anyone who wants to avoid getting the flu should
be vaccinated. However, during flu seasons when vaccine
supplies are limited or delayed, the
Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices
(ACIP) makes recommendations regarding
priority groups for vaccination.
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People at high risk for complications from the flu,
including:
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Children aged 6 months until their 5th
birthday,
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Pregnant women,
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People 50 years of age and older,
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People of any age with certain chronic
medical conditions, and
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People who live in nursing homes and other
long term care facilities.
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People who live with or care for those at high risk for
complications from flu, including:
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Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications
from the flu (see above)
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Household
contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of
age (these children are too young to be
vaccinated)
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Health care workers.
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They
include:
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People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
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People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza
vaccination in the past.
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People who developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome(GBS)
within 6 weeks of getting an influenza
vaccine previously.
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Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not
approved for use in this age group).
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People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever
should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine,
ask your primary care physician.
The flu vaccine is available through your primary care
physician, the Escambia County Health Department, Immunization
services (visit their website for vaccine availability), and
other locations through out Escambia county. To find a clinic
near you, call or visit the
Find a
flu shot
.
Each influenza season the Epidemiology Department is part of
the influenza surveillance network in the State of Florida.
The Epidemiology staff is monitoring the incidence of
influenza in our county using three sources of information on
a weekly basis: the number of over-the-counter cough and cold
medications that were sold, the number of rapid flu tests that
were administered and the number of positive tests for
influenza viruses A and B at all local hospital laboratories,
and finally a team of 6 wonderful volunteer physicians who
report the number of individuals they have seen with
influenza-like illnesses among their patients. Weekly reports
are generated to summarize the above data and can be found on
our health care provider page. For statewide surveillance
information visit the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of
Epidemiology influenza surveillance page.
If you are a private health care provider and would like to
participate in this valuable public health program, please
take a look at the sentinel influenza provider program on our
Health
Care Provider page or contact the Epidemiology
Department at (850) 595-6683.
