Important Information about Influenza, or Flu
Almost everyone has heard of influenza, also known as the flu, and many people are afflicted with influenza every year.
1. Common knowledge about Influenza
We know that influenza is a virus, it's contagious, and it infects the nose, throat, and lungs.
Many people are infected with influenza every year, and those people are generally miserable for awhile.
2. Statistics about Influenza
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that every year in the United States, on average:
* 5% to 20% of the population gets influenza
* More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza complications
* Approximately 36,000 people die from influenza infection
3. Who is at risk for influenza?
* Adults over age 50
* Residents of long-term care facilities
* People with with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or a weakened immune system
* Young children
* Women who are more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
4. How does influenza spread?
The CDC reports that influenza viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people 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 can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
5. What are the symptoms of influenza?
Here is a list of common influenza symptoms and tests that can be done to determine if you have influenza.
6. Who should get an influenza vaccine?
* People at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
* People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions. This includes a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, other nerve or muscle disorders, and lung diseases.
* Adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or a weakened immune system including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]
* People with heart disease
* People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 to 64.
* Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.
7. Who should not be vaccinated for influenza?
The CDC advises that you consult you physician before getting an influenza shot if you:
* Have had a severe allergy to chicken eggs
* Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
* Developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously
* Currently have a moderate or severe illness with a fever. Wait to get an influenza vaccine until you are well.
* Are a child less than 6 months of age
8. What is the difference between seasonal flu and pandemic flu?
9. What is the bird (avian) flu?
10. Where to find information on avian influenza
The World Health Organization has compiled current statistics and information on what's being done around the world to control avian influenza.
11. Why is influenza more common during the holidays?
People are gathered indoors more frequently, increasing the possibility of exposure to influenza. Also, increased stress during the holidays can explain the higher incidence.
