INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE UPDATE INFLUENZA FACT SHEET

WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE INFLUENZA SEASON?

Influenza seasons can vary substantially from year to year in terms of timing and pattern of onset, peaking, decline, and overall severity. The most commonly accepted period is December through March. However, it is not possible to predict how long a flu season will last nor how many people will develop life-threatening complications or die.


FLU OR COLD?

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. There are different kinds of influenza viruses, but these viruses are not the same as a cold virus. The flu and cold are both respiratory infections and the first symptoms can make it tough to tell if you have the fu or a very bad cold.

Colds usually begin slowly and can 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.

If you have the flu you will get a high fever, chills and your muscles will ache. It is likely you will get a sudden headache with your fever. You might also get a dry couth and sore throat. See more flu symptoms in the box below.

Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting are not common with the flu, except possibly in young children. Check with your doctor of clinic if you have these symptoms.


FLU SYMPTOMS

The flu will usually last two weeks or more with more serious symptoms like a high fever, headache, body aches and tiredness.

Symptom
Fever	Common; between 102-104 degrees F, maybe higher in children; can last 3-4 days
Headache	Common
General aches, pains	Common; often severs
Tiredness, Fatigue, Weakness	Common; can last up to 2-3 weeks
Dry Cough	Sometimes
Sneezing	Sometimes
Sore Throat	Sometimes
Stuffy Nose	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort	Common; can become severe
Complications	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases


LOWER YOUR RISK OF GETTING THE FLU

• Wash your hands more often than usual and keep them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Soap and water works fine. Teach children these same healthy habits.
  
  
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, preferably with a facial tissue or your arm, not your hands. Promptly discard used facial tissue.
  
  
• Exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of rest can all help keep you well.
  
  
• Drinking plenty of liquids, at least six to eight glasses per day.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE FLU?

If you have flu symptoms, call your doctor first. If you go to your doctor’s office, a clinic or the emergency department – when you get there tell them you might have the flu and ask for a mask.

• If you are at special risk from complication of flu, you should consult your health-care provider when your flu symptoms begin. This includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, or children. Your doctor may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.
  
  
• If you or a family member feel sick, stay at home, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
  
  
• If you are sick, do not go to work. If your kids are sick, do not send them to school or day care. It is important to stop the spread of the flu to others.
  
  
• If someone in your family has influenza, talk to your doctor about your health and possible treatments so you don’t get the flu too.
  
  

VACCINE AND RISK INFORMATION

In a normal flu season, the priority for vaccination will be for people who are at high risk of serious complications if they get flu. Those at high-risk are:

• Adults 65 years old or older
  
  
• Children 6 to 23 months old
  
  
• Adults and children with a chronic medical condition such as asthma or another lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or a blood disease
  
  
• People with immune system problems
  
  
• Women more than 3 months pregnant
  
  
• Children 6 months to 18 years old who are on long-term aspirin therapy
  
  
• Healthcare workers
  
  

Decisions about vaccinating healthy persons, including adults ages 50-64 years, will be made on a case-by-case basis, depending on local disease activity and vaccine supply.

If you have any questions or concerns about influenza, please talk to your doctor first. You can also call the Humboldt County Public Health Branch at 707-442-6200 or 866-597-1574 (toll free). Public Health Branch staff is available to answer your questions.