SEASONAL INFLUENZA

What You Need To Know

 Q:  What is the flu?

A:  Influenza is a serious disease of the nose, throat and lungs.  It can make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever and aching.  It can even lead to complications such as sinus infections, ear infections, dehydration, or pneumonia in some cases.  It can worsen chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Q:  What are the symptoms of flu?

A:  High fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Q:  Who should get the flu shot?

A: Anyone at high risk for complications from influenza.

Children 6 months to 5 years old

Pregnant women

Adults over age 50

Anyone with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS

Residents of nursing homes or long term care facilities

 Q:  What is the purpose of the flu shot?

A:  The flu shot helps your body fight the flu virus when you are exposed to it.  The flu shot has effectiveness of 70-90% in healthy individuals under age 65.  It does not prevent the common cold.

Q:  Will the flu shot make me sick?

A:  The flu shot cannot cause the flu.  The worst side effect you’re likely to get from a flu shot is a sore arm.  Soreness goes away in a day or two.  Serious problems resulting from the flu shot are very rare.

Q:  What else can I do to prevent getting the flu?

A: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as much as possible.