District Health Department #2

Seasonal Flu Information

Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. Typically, flu season is from November to March. Severity ranges from mild to severe, and certain people are at a higher risk for complications, including: older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the United States 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.

Symptoms of seasonal flu include:

• fever
• headache
• fatigue
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• stomach ailments, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting

Complications of flu may include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections or sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Seasonal flu is transmitted from person-to-person through contaminated air droplets (coughing or sneezing and someone close inhales), and from surface contamination (touching infected surface and then touching eyes, nose or mouth).

The best way to prevent the seasonal flu is to get either the flu shot or nasal spray vaccine. The shot vaccination is approved for anyone age 6 months and older, while the nasal spray vaccine is only for healthy people age 2-49 who are not pregnant. It is recommended that anyone who wants to be protected against seasonal flu get vaccinated, however those at high-risk for complications are considered a priority in the event of a shortage or delay of vaccine.

At this time, District Health Department No. 2 is only offering the seasonal flu shot to children 19 and under. As more quantities arrive, it will be available to the general public.

Take everyday precautions in preventing the flu. Make sure to wash your hands often, use tissues to cover sneezes and coughs, don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth, and avoid sick people and crowds.

If you do get sick with the seasonal flu, make sure to prevent spread by staying home. Antiviral medication may lessen the severity of the flu illness, but are only available by prescription. These medications work to keep flu viruses from reproducing and are most effective within the first 2 days of symptoms. This year, due to H1N1 flu, antiviral medications are reserved for patients who are hospitalized or at an increased risk for complications. Generally, most people recover from seasonal flu without medical intervention.

Click here for information about District Health Department #2 Flu Clinic schedules.