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- Flu Resources for Patients

> What is the Flu?
> When is flu season?
> Is flu dangerous?
> How is flu spread?
> What are flu symptoms?
> What if I think my child has the flu?
> What if I need to see a doctor while I have the flu?
> Who should get vaccinated?
> Will I, or my child, need to get more than 1 flu shot?
> If you get a flu shot can you still get the flu?
> How can I prevent the flu?
> How can I get current information about the flu?

> What is the Flu?

The flu (short for "influenza") is an illness caused by viruses. Flu virus can live in a person's nose, throat, and lungs.

There are many types of flu viruses. The most common each year is the "seasonal flu." Another flu virus you will hear about this year is H1N1, also known as Swine Flu.

> When is flu season?

Flu season in Massachusetts usually begins in December and lasts through March.

> Is flu dangerous?

Flu can be a serious illness. Every year, about 200,000 people in the US are hospitalized with the flu and 36,000 die from flu-related complications.

Anyone can get the flu, and most people recover within 1 to 2 weeks. But some people can become very sick. People who are at highest risk for becoming very sick from the flu include:

1. Adults age 50 or older
2. Children under 5 years old
3. Pregnant women
4. People with chronic illnesses
5. People with weak immune systems

> How is flu spread?

Flu viruses live in your nose and throat. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, flu viruses are spread into the air. People nearby can breathe in the viruses and become sick. An infected person can spread the flu a day before symptoms appear and can remain contagious for up to a week later. A child with flu can be contagious longer than a week.

Flu viruses, including the H1N1 virus, can also live on surfaces like doorknobs, phones, and toys for several hours. It can be very difficult to keep these types of surfaces free of virus, which is why washing your hands often is so important.

> What are flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms appear 1 to 5 days after exposure, and may include:

1. Fever (102°-104°), lasting 3-5 days
   
2. Chills
   
3. Headaches
   
4. Sore throat
   
5. Severe muscle aches
   
6. Tiredness, which can be extreme and can last two weeks or more
   
7. Dry cough
   
8. Runny or stuffy nose
   

Serious complications from flu include dehydration, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus/ear infections. The flu can also make chronic health problems worse.

> What if I think my child has the flu?

Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu can be dangerous for children. Seek emergency medical care if your child becomes ill and experiences any of the following warning signs:

1. Fast breathing
2. Trouble breathing
3. Bluish or gray skin color
4. Not drinking enough fluids
5. Not urinating as much as usual
6. Severe or persistent vomiting
7. Not waking up or interacting as usual
8. Being so irritable that your child does not even want to be held
9. The fever returns after being gone for a day, or a significant change in the fever pattern occurs. For example, it was 101 degrees F. for several days and now it's 103 degrees F.

Again, seek emergency medical care if your child becomes very ill and experiences any of those warning signs.

> What if I need to see a doctor while I have the flu?

If you have active flu symptoms when you come into our hospitals or health centers (sneezing, coughing, or fever), please tell us right away. We can give you a mask to wear while you are here.

> Who should get vaccinated?

Anyone who wants to reduce their risk of getting the flu should get vaccinated. However, during flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, priority should be given to people at high risk for becoming very sick from the flu and their caregivers.

> Will I, or my child, need to get more than 1 flu shot?

For maximum protection from both the H1N1 and seasonal flu, you will need to be immunized for both strains. Fortunately, you can get H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine at the same visit, if at least one of the vaccines is given via a flu shot (versus flu mist).

We recommend that children should get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines (except those with severe egg allergy). Most kids under age 10 will need only one dose of seasonal flu vaccine, if they had it in years past. If they have never been vaccinated, they will need two doses 1 month apart. This means that all kids under 10 will need two doses of H1N1 vaccine.

> If you get a flu shot can you still get the flu?

The flu shot is 70-90% effective in preventing flu or at least reducing symptoms. It usually takes two weeks after the shot to develop maximum protection, which then gradually wears off. The flu shot does not cause the flu.

> How can I prevent the flu?

These simple actions can protect you from getting the flu and help stop the spread of germs.

1. Get a flu shot every year. A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against seasonal flu. You should get a flu shot every fall because the viruses that cause the flu change every year.
   
2. Get a pneumonia shot if you are age 65 or older, or if you have a medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.
   
3. Wash your hands often. Use soap and rub your hands together for 20 seconds. Alcohol-based gels and wipes also work well.
   
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
   
5. Wipe down door handles, water faucets, phones, and other household items that are frequently touched by family members.
   
6. Avoid close contact with sick people.
   
7. Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from catching your illness. Try to keep your child away from other children who are sick. If your child has a flu-like illness, try not to expose them to other people, so they won't spread the flu.
   
8. Cough or sneeze into the inside of your arm, not your hands.
   
9. Dispose of tissues properly, and wash your hands after using tissues.

   Other good habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water, and eating good food, will help you stay healthy during the winter and all year.

> How can I get current information about the flu?

For more information about the flu you can visit the flu pages on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health web site: (click here).

Sources: Cambridge Public Health Department (Public Health Nursing Program), Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Boston Public Health Commission.