|
For Release Tuesday, 30th
October, 2001
-
What is the Flu?
It is an illness caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, trachea, and lungs).
-
How can you get the influenza virus?
The virus spreads from person-to-person. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, you can breathe in the virus. Also, the virus can live outside the body for hours in cold and low humidity. So, if the infected person covers his mouth with his hand while coughing or sneezing and then touches a doorknob, the next person to touch the doorknob can pick up the virus on their hands. Then, when that person touches their hand to face (eye, mouth or nose) they can catch the virus.
-
How long after exposure can you get the flu?
1 to 3 days
-
What are the symptoms of influenza?
|
fever
(101° - 104° F) |
dry
cough |
sore
throat |
|
chills |
runny
or stuffy nose |
headache |
|
muscle
aches |
extreme
fatigue (weakness) |
|
-
When is flu season?
In the United States, flu “season” begins in mid-October, but is mostly seen in the winter months.
-
Why can the flu be considered a potentially serious illness?
It is spread quickly and easily in crowded rooms, buses and planes. It can lead to life-threatening illness for those persons who are over 65 years old or who have chronic illnesses such as heart disease, metabolic disease (for example, diabetes), kidney disease, or lung disease.
-
Can vaccine injections (flu shots) give me the flu?
No. The influenza vaccine used in the United States is made from killed or inactivated viruses. Some people who have received flu vaccine may later develop a “cold” or other respiratory illness from another virus and mistake it
for the flu. The vaccine can't give you the flu.
-
When will flu shots be available?
This year, one of the manufacturers of the flu vaccine has been delayed in releasing their supply. This means there will be a smaller supply until December.
-
Information updates on the influenza vaccine will be made available, so look for items in
your newspaper and on television.
-
Who should get the first flu shots?
Because there is less vaccine available this season, it will be very important to give the first flu shots to people who are at the greatest risk to get the flu and become seriously ill or die. It takes 1–2 weeks, after receiving the shot, for a person to develop protective antibodies.
People at risk:
-
Anyone over age 65
-
Anyone with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, metabolic disease (for example, diabetes), kidney disease, or lung disease, including asthma.
-
Weakened immune systems (bone marrow or organ transplants, cancer treatments, severe anemia, Lupus, HIV/AIDS)
-
Long-term steroid treatments
-
Women who will be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during flu season
-
Residents in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities with persons of any age that have chronic medical conditions
-
Hospital patients
-
Children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
Also, it is important to protect healthcare workers from getting the flu, to prevent them from spreading the illness to other patients and so that they will be able to care for those who do become ill with influenza. Emergency personnel also need to be vaccinated so that they can stay on the job where they are needed.
-
What can I do to protect myself and stop the spread of influenza?
Wash your hands with soap and water, and wash them often.
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing -- then wash your hands before touching objects.
Don't set used facial tissues on tables or counters. Immediately throw them into a waste can.
Stay out of crowds when people are coughing and sneezing during flu season.
-
Should I get a pneumonia shot?
Ask your doctor if you are also at risk for pneumonia. It won't prevent the flu, but it will help to decrease your chances of getting pneumonia at the same time as the flu if you are one of the "people at risk".
<<
Back to Press
|
