Flu FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Flu season is coming! Are you prepared? Here are answer to your questions!
What is the flu?
The flu, short for influenza, is a virus that passes easily from person to person. Every year, millions of people miss work and school because of the seasonal flu. Seasonal flu exists worldwide. Usually the flu season is in the winter months, but in warm climates, the flu occurs during the rainy season.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms usually show up quickly, developing within three to six hours of exposure to the virus. With the flu, you may start the day feeling fine, only to end up feeling terrible a few hours later.
What’s the difference between the flu and a cold?
Both are respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Although the symptoms can be similar, flu symptoms are more severe and include a high fever and body aches. Cold symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose and a cold, but in general, cold symptoms are milder and only last about seven days. The flu can last up to two weeks. It is much more likely to develop into a serious illness and require hospitalization.
Who gets the flu?
The seasonal flu is very common all over the world. In the United States, 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu every year. After you have had the flu, you have immunity to that virus. Even if you have the flu this year, you will not have immunity to next year’s virus. Some people get the flu every year.
Why is the flu dangerous?
The flu is especially dangerous for children aged 2 and under, adults over 65 years old, and people in poor health. These people may not be able to fight the virus and can become extremely sick. Every year in the U.S., there are approximately 36,000 deaths related to the seasonal flu.
How does the flu spread?
Coughing or sneezing spreads flu viruses from person to person. A virus can live in a tiny drop of liquid from a cough for several hours, and it can live on a surface such as a table for up to 24 hours. A person can infect others before flu symptoms even develop and up to five days after becoming sick. You can pass the flu to someone else before you know you are sick.
What’s a flu epidemic?
A flu epidemic is when many people have the flu at the same time, and the number of infected people increases rapidly. Worldwide, annual flu epidemics result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths.
How can I avoid getting the flu?
Many people get a flu vaccine before the flu season stars. The U.S. center for disease control and prevention says that flu vaccines can prevent 70 percent to 90 percent of infections is healthy people under age 65. However, each year therefore, scientist must develop new vaccines each year. It can take 6 months to a year to develop these vaccines. For some viruses, there is no vaccine.
What else can I do ?
• There are many things you can do to say healthy and prevent the spread of the flu.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or a liquid hand cleaner. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of flu viruses.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your mouth with your arm or shirtsleeve instead of your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Viruses can spread this way.
• Avoid sick people.