Influenza and Flu – Anne Arundel County Department of Health

What is Influenza or Flu?

Influenza or flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs that can make anyone sick. It is not life-threatening in healthy individuals; however, older people, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health problems are more likely to become seriously ill or be hospitalized.

Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, runny nose, cough, muscle aches and headaches.

Persons should consult with their medical provider before getting the seasonal flu shot if they:

The flu virus is contained in secretions from the nose and respiratory system of a person who has the flu. Viruses get in the air when the person sneezes or coughs. Covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue, mask or even a sleeve reduces the airborne virus. Flu viruses can also get on surfaces. When a person touches a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touches their nose, mouth or mucus membranes, they can contract the flu.

General Prevention

Hand washingis one of the easiest and best ways to prevent infection and to avoid getting or passing on the flu virus. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if washing facilities are not handy. Teach children how to wash their hands properly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) offer these instructions for proper hand washing:

Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available in their community. Vaccination before December is best since this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is typically at its highest.

People should get vaccinated every year. Even if the current flu vaccine protects against the same flu viruses as the previous years vaccine, immunity to flu viruses declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year.

Read the rest here:

Influenza and Flu - Anne Arundel County Department of Health