Tip of the Month

NOVEMBER IS ALL ABOUT THE FLU

Many of us have had the flu at least once in our lives, some much more than others, but not many of us know exactly what the flu is. Sure, we know that it causes us to miss school or work, and we know that it causes aches and pains, but why is that?

What is the Flu?

The flu, more scientifically known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The influenza virus usually enters the body through mucous membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby.

In most communities, school-age children are the first age group to get the flu. They then carry it into their home and to places where they interact with other kids, such as after-school activities. The flu virus will usually be prominent during the fall and winter, the time of year typically known as “flu season”.

Some people, such as older adults, young children, and people with specific health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. In extreme cases, complications can lead to death. On average each year: 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 20,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and about 4,000 people die from the flu.

How to Know If You Have the Flu

If you’re not sure it’s the flu you have, keep these things in mind. Flu symptoms generally appear 1 to 3 days after exposure to the virus. The onset of symptoms often seems sudden: people describe the feeling “like they’ve been hit by a truck.” Flu symptoms can be mild or severe — and if they’re mild can become severe without much notice. Be aware of your body and monitor your body temperature.

The common symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever (usually high)
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults

You don’t need to experience all of these symptoms to have the flu. If you have one or two, it’s recommended that you see your doctor.

Different Types of the Flu

The first flu virus was identified in the 1930s (although the flu has probably existed for centuries). Since then, scientists have classified influenza viruses into 3 types, creatively named A, B, and C.

• Influenza Type A is the most common and also the scariest of the three influenzas, causing the most serious epidemics in history.
• Influenza Type B flu outbreaks also can cause epidemics, but the disease it produces generally is milder than that caused by type A.
• Influenza Type C flu viruses, on the other hand, have never been connected with a large epidemic, usually just causing mild respiratory infections similar to the common cold.

How You Get the Flu

Flu viruses spread in droplets caused by coughing or sneezing. The virus needs to pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth.

In addition to being in striking distance from that sneezing and coughing coworker, if you’ve touched a contaminated surface like a telephone or a doorknob the viruses can pass from your hands to your nose or mouth. The risk of infection gets even greater in highly populated areas like schools, buses and crowded living conditions.

Complications of the Flu

Flu complications can happen if you get a bacterial infection, causing pneumonia to irritate and inflame your weakened lungs. Pneumonia can also be caused by the flu virus. Complications usually appear after you start feeling better. You may have a brief period of improvement, followed by a sudden onset of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Shaking chills
• Chest pain with each breath
• Coughing that produces thick, yellowish-green-colored mucus

Bacterial pneumonia can be a very serious and sometimes life-threatening condition; therefore if you or a family member experiences any of these symptoms, you should speak to your healthcare provider immediately.

How to Tell the Difference between a Cold and the Flu

The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different types of viruses. Flu symptoms usually come on quickly (within 3-6 hours) and consist of a fever, body aches, dry cough, and extreme tiredness. Cold symptoms are less severe and people experience a stuffy nose, productive cough, slight tiredness, and limited body aches.

Is it a Cold or the Flu?

Whether you need to know the answer now or you’re looking into it for future purposes, we can help. Use the interactive tool below as a quick reference to determine if what you have is just a cold — or if it’s the flu. Remember that if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is better to act fast and speak to your doctor within 12 to 48 hours.

FLU VACCINE

The best way to prevent or lessen the severity of the flu is to get a flu shot each fall. However, because the particular flu strains that the vaccine protects against may not be the same ones that are going around your area, the vaccine is not always 100% effective.

Types of Flu Vaccines

There are two types of flu vaccines:

• The “flu shot” — which is given with a needle, usually in the arm, is an inactivated (or killed) vaccine
• The nasal flu spray vaccine (sometimes referred to as LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”) — which is a spray taken in the nose — is an attenuated (or weakened) vaccine

Scientists make different flu vaccines every year because the strains of influenza viruses change from year to year. Nine to 10 months before the flu season begins, they prepare a new vaccine made from inactivated (killed) influenza viruses. Because the viruses have been killed, they cannot cause infection. The flu vaccine preparation is based on the strains of the flu viruses that are in circulation at the time. It includes those influenza type A and influenza type B viruses expected to circulate the following winter.

Sometimes an unpredicted new strain may appear after the vaccine has been made and distributed to doctor’s offices and clinics. Because of this, even if you do get the flu vaccine, you still may get infected.

Children 8 years old and younger who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses (separated by at least 4 weeks for TIV and at least 6 weeks for LAIV).

Flu Shot Side Effects

The most common side effect in children and adults is soreness at the site of the vaccination. Other flu shot side effects — especially in children who have never been exposed to the flu virus — include fever, tiredness, and sore muscles. These side effects may begin 6 to 12 hours after vaccination and may last for up to 2 days.

Additionally, you should be aware that viruses for producing the vaccine are grown in chicken eggs and then killed with a chemical so they can no longer cause an infection. The flu vaccine may contain some egg protein, which can cause an allergic reaction. If you or a family member is allergic to eggs or have ever had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, consult with your health care provider before getting vaccinated.