Key Facts about the Flu
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
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. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.
Signs and Symptoms of the Flu
Having flu symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. The flu usually starts suddenly and may include some or all of the following signs and symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Here are ideas to help avoid the spread of germs:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. There are two types of vaccines:
The flu shot
An inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. There are three different flu shots available:
A regular flu shot approved for people ages 6 months and older
A high-dose flu shot approved for people 65 and older
An intradermal flu shot approved for people 18 to 64 years of age
The nasal spray (also called LAIV or FluMist®)
A vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. The nasal spray is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine.
While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:
Pregnant women
Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
Health care workers
Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Who Should Not Get Vaccinated
There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first talking to their doctor. These include:
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
People who have had a severe reaction to flu vaccination.
Children younger than 6 months of age (flu vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness) that occurred after receiving the flu vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from flu should generally not receive vaccine.
CDC recommends that people get their seasonal flu vaccine before December and encourages people to get vaccinated throughout the flu season, which can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
Schedule a flu vaccine appointment with your PCP, ask for the vaccine at your next doctor’s visit, or visit a VHP Plan Pharmacy that provides the vaccine.
Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
The Flu Shot
The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive the flu vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.
The nasal spray (also called LAIV or FluMist®)
The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with the flu.
In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include:
runny nose
wheezing
headache
vomiting
muscle aches
fever
In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include
runny nose
headache
sore throat
cough
What to Do if You Get Sick
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If you are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your doctor. Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs.
The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.