Influenza is a viral infection
of the lungs and airways that is also known as “the
flu”
Anyone can get influenza. Influenza is spread from person
to person through the air by coughing and sneezing. It
is also spread by direct contact with infected people.
Influenza can be a serious disease that causes severe
complications such as pneumonia. It can also make heart
disease or chronic lung disease worse. Thousands of deaths
each year are caused by influenza.
Symptoms of influenza might be confused with
the common cold
Influenza and the common cold both have symptoms that
affect the throat and nose, but influenza symptoms are
usually more severe than cold symptoms. These symptoms
include a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and cough.
Other symptoms of influenza affect the whole body, such
as headache, tiredness, body aches, fever, and chills.
Symptoms of influenza usually start 1 to 3 days after
coming into contact with an individual who is ill with
influenza. Most persons feel better after several days
but cough and tiredness may last two weeks or more. Stomach
cramps and diarrhea are not typical symptoms of influenza.
There are ways to treat influenza
For the quickest recovery from influenza, get plenty
of rest; drink fluids like juice, water, or hot tea; and
take an aspirin substitute for muscle aches and fever
(but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have
flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever –
without first speaking to your doctor.). Do not give any
medication including over-the-counter remedies to a child
without first consulting with your pediatrician. If a
fever lasts more than 3 or 4 days, see a doctor. A doctor
can also prescribe certain antiviral medications. These
medications may make symptoms milder if taken within 1
to 2 days of when symptoms begin.
Look Out for Emergency Warning Signs
There are some “emergency warning signs”
that require urgent medical attention.
In children, some emergency warning
signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- High or prolonged fever
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Changes in mental status, such as not waking up or
not interacting; being so irritable that the child does
not want to be held; or seizures
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever
and worse cough
- Worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions
(for example, heart or lung disease, diabetes)
In adults, some emergency warning signs
that need urgent medical attention include:
- High or prolonged fever
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Near-fainting or fainting
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Seek medical care immediately, either
by calling your doctor or going to an emergency room,
if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the
signs described above or other unusually severe symptoms.
When you arrive, tell the receptionist or nurse about
your symptoms. You may be asked to wear a mask and/or
sit in a separate area to protect others from getting
sick.
Yearly vaccination is the most important way
to prevent influenza
People at higher risk of complications should get the
influenza vaccine each year. The best time to get the
influenza vaccine is between October and mid-November.
It may also be given in September or after mid-November.
It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to develop protection
against the influenza virus. Past infection with influenza
or immunization with the influenza vaccine does not protect
a person from getting influenza the next year.
People who should receive influenza vaccination
include:
- Anyone 50 years of age or older
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Anyone 6 months to 18 years of age who takes chronic
aspirin therapy
- Anyone with a serious long-term health problem such
as heart disease, lung disease, or kidney disease
- Anyone living in a nursing home, assisted living
facility, or rehabilitation facility
- Pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester
- Anyone coming in close contact with people at risk
of complications (for example, health care workers or
family members)
Influenza vaccine may rarely cause serious side
effects in some people
The viruses in the vaccine are killed, so you cannot
get influenza from the vaccine. People with severe allergic
reactions to eggs or to a previous dose of influenza vaccine,
and people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome
should talk to their doctor before getting vaccinated.
There are steps you can take to prevent spreading
influenza to others:
- Wash hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing,
and wiping or blowing the nose.
- Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Use paper tissues when wiping or blowing the nose;
throw tissues away after each use.
- Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces,
if possible.
- Stay home and avoid contact with other people to
protect them from catching your illness.
- Certain antiviral medications may prevent illness.
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