The best way to prevent getting seasonal influenza is to get a flu vaccine every year. Flu vaccinations usually start in September or October, and continue throughout the flu season, which can last as late as May. Most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January or later, and the flu vaccine can be administered anytime between September and April.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three most common influenza viruses. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus (not the 2009 H1N1 virus), and one B virus.
Take Action to Stay Healthy
Flu is a respiratory illness that is highly contagious and spread person to person through sneezing and coughing as well as from touching contaminated surfaces. As always, the following precautions can minimize the risk of flu exposure:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Sneeze into your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the
trash after you use it, and then immediately wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to keep germs off your hands.
- Stay home and limit contact with others, if you get sick.
- If you work, stay in touch with Occupational Health or your doctor and follow guidelines for
returning to work.
What you can do if you or a family member gets sick:
1. Understand flu symptoms: fever and respiratory illness such as cough, runny or stuffy nose; sore throat, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea. Most healthy people can treat flu by getting plenty of rest, drinking ample clear liquids, and managing fever with medicines like Tylenol or Motrin.
2. If you are at high risk of flu complications, seek care at the first signs of flu symptoms.
Medicines work best when given within 48 hours of symptoms.
3. Groups at high risk of flu complications are: Children younger than 5, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes; heart disease except hypertension; liver, kidney, neurological and neuromuscular disorders; or weakened immune systems.
4. Make a personal plan with your doctor now. This should include how your doctor would like you to manage the flu.
5. Know where to go for care. Your doctors’ offices—including obstetricians and pediatricians—
and area urgent care centers are a first step to medical care.
6. Know warning signs for urgent medical care. Flu symptoms usually resolve in 5 days. If symptoms last longer, contact your doctor. If you or your child has any of the following
potentially life-threatening symptoms, seek medical care immediately: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, severe or persistent vomiting, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, or flu symptoms that improve and return with fever or cough.
For more information about seasonal flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm