Flu (Influenza)
What is influenza?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral illness that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza outbreaks occur in the late fall and winter with varying degrees of severity.
How is influenza spread?
The flu spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and virus-laden droplets land on a commonly used surface or on another person. The flu virus droplets can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. When another person touches the surface and then their eyes, mouth, or nose, they can become infected with the flu virus. If a sick person sneezes within 5 feet of another individual, these droplets can spray onto this person and potentially spread the flu. Infected people can begin to spread the illness even if they have not yet begun to show any symptoms. A person who contracts influenza is contagious for approximately 5 days.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of the flu are chills with moderate to high fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, runny nose and fatigue. Usually, these symptoms come on quickly.
Other complications may occur as a result of contracting influenza. The flu can weaken a person's immune system and make it easier to contract other diseases, such as bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, or dehydration. There is an increased risk of flu complications for people with other diseases (asthma, diabetes, etc.), pregnant women, or elderly people.
How is influenza treated?
Antiviral medications are available to treat the flu, so please visit SHS or a healthcare provider if you get sick. There are also medications available that treat common flu symptoms. An ill person should not go back to class, work, or any public areas until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, without taking fever-reducing medications such as ibuprofen or tylenol.
Can influenza be prevented?
A yearly flu vaccine is the best prevention for any individual. This vaccine is available at SHS. It takes about 2 weeks from the date of vaccination before your body is fully prevented from the disease. Therefore, other preventative measures are strongly encouraged.
Handwashing is the second best way to prevent the flu. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you wash your hands with soap or by using hand sanitizer.
More information
To learn more, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/