Influenza (Flu)

About Influenza (Flu)

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The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It infects the upper respiratory tract and causes symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, and runny nose. The flu is usually self-treatable and self-diagnosable, but rapid diagnostic tests for it are available at health-care facilities. If you’re otherwise healthy, then you can expect your flu-related symptoms to resolve within several days.

What you need to know

Although the flu may seem commonplace, it can be quite dangerous. Getting the flu, especially if you have a compromised immune system, can lead to pneumonia, and, in extreme cases, death. In fact, nearly 50,000 US deaths are caused by the flu every year.

How it spreads

Influenza is spread through tiny droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Once a person has become infected with the virus, they will be contagious for 1 day before and 7 days after symptoms appear. In other words, most people are infecting others before they even know they’re sick.

Preventing the Flu

Fortunately, receiving the flu vaccine every year reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40% to 60%. That’s why it’s so important to visit your health-care professional (HCP) and receive the vaccination every year at the beginning of September. However, because flu season can circulate as late as May, it’s really never too late to get your shot.

Even though you may never get sick, it’s important to remember that you can still be a carrier of influenza and can pass it to your family, friends, or close contacts. Receiving the influenza vaccine protects you, your loved ones, and the rest of your community.

Protect yourself and family from the Flu

Getting the flu shot reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40%-60% and reduces the risk of spreading it to others.

• Catching the flu could lead to pneumonia and/or death.
• ~50,000 people die of the flu each year.

Get vaccinated

Getting the flu shot reduces your risk of getting the flu by 40%-60% and reduces the risk of spreading it to others.

• Catching the flu could lead to pneumonia and/or death.
• ~50,000 people die of the flu each year.

Stop the spread

Limit spreading the flu by getting vaccinated, avoiding contact with others, practicing cough etiquette, and washing your hands frequently.

• You could spread the flu for 2-7 days before feeling sick.

Reduce risk

If you get the flu, the flu shot reduces your risk of developing complications.

Who is at risk for developing a severe complication from the flu?

• Anyone with a chronic health condition
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• Children

Save Children

50% of children are less likely to die of flu if vaccinated.

• Children have a higher mortality rate than healthy adults.
• Children are more likely to have vomiting and diarrhea than adults with the flu.
• Babies < 6 months cannot get the flu shot, so they depend on moms and adults to get the flu shot to protect them.

Did you know that influenza and pneumonia are the eighth-leading causes of death in the United States?

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Who’s at risk for developing a severe case of the Flu?

• Children aged 6 months to 5 years and those not old enough to receive the vaccine (children aged <6 months)
• Pregnant women
• Adults aged at least 65 years
• Anyone with a chronic health condition, especially those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Adults who cannot receive vaccinations

How does the Flu affect children vs adults?

• Children have a higher mortality rate from the flu than healthy adults
• Children with the flu more commonly experience vomiting and diarrhea than adults
• Children younger than 6 months are too young to receive the influenza vaccine, so they depend on adults to be vaccinated to protect them