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What is
Influenza (Also Called Flu)?
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. The best way to prevent
the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
Every year in the United States, on average:
5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu
complications, and;
about 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and
people with certain health conditions, are at high risk
for serious flu complications.
Symptoms of Flu
Symptoms of flu include:
fever (usually high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and
diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children
than adults.
Complications of Flu
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.
How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes
people may 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.
Preventing the Flu: Get
Vaccinated
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" an inactivated vaccine (containing
killed virus) that is given with a needle. 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 a vaccine made with
live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu
(sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza
Vaccine). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5
years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
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.
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