What is influenza?
Influenza (or “the flu”) is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. Flu outbreaks are most common during the late fall, winter and early spring.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu?
Common symptoms of flu include:
Severe flu-related complications, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, or even death, may occur in certain cases, and the flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Discuss any medical conditions with your healthcare provider that might put you at higher risk for flu complications.
How does the flu virus spread?
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more 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.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First, and most importantly: get a flu vaccination as soon as it is available
In addition to being vaccinated, you should also take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses like influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following these steps to protect your health:
Source: www.cdc.gov/flu
What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you are concerned about the severity of your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or start a video visit or eVisit. Your provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Are there medicines to treat flu?
Yes. Oseltamavir (Tamiflu) or zanamavir (Relenza) or Baloxavir Marboxil (Xofluza) are available for treatment of influenza. However, most people with mild cases of the flu do not require antiviral drugs, which is a kind of medicine used specifically to treat viral infections. Antivirals should only be considered for those sick enough to be hospitalized or for those with conditions that put them at risk for more serious complications of influenza (pneumonia, lung disease, weakened immune system, etc.). Your healthcare provider will decide whether or not your illness requires antivirals.
Since the flu is a virus, your doctor will not prescribe antibiotics Learn more about the different germs in your body and when antibiotics are prescribed.
How long can an infected person spread the flu virus to others?
People with influenza should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to seven days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, and immunocompromised individuals may be contagious for longer periods.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live for two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, light switches and desks. Keeping these commonly-touched surfaces clean and frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.