Influenza (Flu)
What is influenza?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States, on average:
- 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
- more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
- about 36,000 people die from flu.
How do people get influenza?
The most common way the flu viruses spread from person to person is through respiratory secretions that are produced when a person infected with influenza coughs, sneezes or talks. Most often, these respiratory secretions, which contain influenza viruses, then land in a person’s nose, mouth and/or eyes or are breathed in to infect a susceptible person. Infected persons can contaminate surfaces by coughing or sneezing on them. Sometimes susceptible people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes prior to washing their hands.
Can I catch influenza from someone?
Yes, influenza is contagious. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
How can I protect myself and my family from getting sick with influenza?
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are two types of vaccines:
- The “flu-shot” – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in health people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
To find out more about influenza vaccinations in San Francisco, click here.
In addition to flu vaccination, other effective prevention methods include: 
- Avoid close contact
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose – Use a tissue or cough/sneeze into your upper arm if tissue is not readily available.
- Clean your hands - Washing your hands often with soap will help protect you from germs. Carry hand sanitizer with you in order to sanitize your hands whenever necessary. Hand Sanitizer should have at least 60% alcohol content.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth without clean hands - Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Download the Coughing Etiquette flyer in English and Chinese or English and Spanish.
Sometimes, antiviral medications are used to prevent the flu in people who have been in close contact with a person known to have influenza.
What are the signs of influenza?
Signs of the flu include:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults
Is it the Flu or a Cold?
The flu and colds are both respiratory infections and can have similar symptoms.
- Colds usually begin slowly and usually last two to seven days. You may have a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing, a runny nose and congestion. Adults and older children usually don’t have a fever, but if they do, it will be very mild.
- Flu symptoms may include a high fever, chills and aching muscles and tiredness which may last two weeks or longer. It’s likely you’ll get a sudden headache with your fever. You might also get a dry cough and sore throat.
More cold versus flu information.
Is there a cure for influenza?
There are medicines that can help patients with the flu. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for treatment of the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. After the 2005-2006 influenza season, the CDC recommended against the use of amantadine or rimantadine for the treatment or prophylaxis of influenza in the United States because of the development of resistance to these drugs. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within 2 days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early.
Useful Influenza links
Useful Influenza links for Providers
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