Flu

The flu, or influenza, is a virus that infects your nose, throat, and lungs – the parts of your body that help you breathe. It's important to remember that the flu is different from the "stomach flu," which causes upset stomachs and diarrhea.

Most people recover from the flu on their own. However, the flu and its potential problems, like pneumonia, can be serious, even life-threatening, in some cases. A yearly flu shot is a good way to help protect yourself. While the shot isn't a guarantee, it significantly reduces your risk of getting very sick from the flu, especially if you're part of a group at higher risk of complications, like older adults, young children, or those with certain health conditions.

Besides getting vaccinated, there are other steps you can take to avoid getting the flu. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces you touch frequently, like doorknobs and countertops, is helpful. Washing your hands often with soap and water is also very important. Keeping the air moving in your home or workplace by opening windows or using fans can help reduce the spread of the virus.

To make sure you're protected, create a personalized flu prevention plan. This plan should include getting your flu shot, practicing good hygiene, and taking other preventative measures.

Influenza, or the flu, is common during specific times of the year in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. These periods are known as flu season. In North America, flu season typically lasts from October to May.

The flu is caused by viruses. Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• Sweating and chills

These symptoms are similar to a cold, but the flu usually appears suddenly, within a couple of days of exposure to the virus, while colds often develop more gradually. Flu symptoms are usually much more intense than cold symptoms.

Children may show flu symptoms differently, often appearing fussy, irritable, or generally unwell. They are also more likely to experience earaches, stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and eye discomfort (pain, watery eyes, light sensitivity) than adults.

Most people recover from the flu at home. However, if you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, it's important to see a doctor right away. Starting antiviral medicine within two days of symptom onset can help shorten the illness and reduce the chance of serious problems.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any emergency symptoms. For adults, these include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Ongoing dizziness
• Difficulty waking up or confusion
• Dehydration
• Seizures
• A worsening of any existing health conditions
• Severe weakness or muscle pain

For children, emergency symptoms include the adult symptoms plus:

• Fast breathing or visible pulling in of the ribs with each breath
• Gray or blue colored lips or nail beds
• No tears when crying, a dry mouth, and not urinating frequently
• Symptoms (like fever or cough) that improve but then return or get worse

It's crucial to remember that these are just guidelines. If you have concerns about your health, contact a healthcare professional.

The flu is usually something you can manage at home. Most people don't need to see a doctor.

However, if you have flu symptoms and you're at risk of serious problems, see a doctor right away. Taking antiviral medicine within two days of getting sick can help make your illness shorter and prevent more serious health issues.

If you have any emergency symptoms of the flu, get medical help immediately. For adults, these include:

• Breathing problems: Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath.
• Dizziness: Feeling dizzy that lasts.
• Confusion or difficulty waking up: Having trouble concentrating or staying awake.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids, which can lead to dry mouth and tiredness.
• Seizures: Uncontrolled muscle spasms.
• Getting worse: If your existing health conditions worsen.
• Severe weakness or muscle pain: Extreme weakness or pain in your muscles.

For children, these emergency symptoms are the same as in adults, plus:

• Fast breathing: Breathing quickly, or seeing their ribs pulling in with each breath.
• Bluish or gray coloring: Noticeable gray or blue coloring around the lips or fingernails.
• No tears, dry mouth, and lack of urination: Not producing tears when crying, a very dry mouth, and not urinating often.
• Flu symptoms improving then getting worse: If symptoms like fever or cough seem to get better and then return or worsen.

It's crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you or your child experience any of these warning signs. Early intervention can make a big difference in how the illness progresses.

The flu is a virus that spreads through the air. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or even talks, tiny droplets carrying the virus are released into the air. You can breathe these droplets in directly. You can also get the virus by touching something contaminated, like a doorknob or keyboard, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

You can spread the flu to other people starting about a day before you feel sick, and for about 5 to 7 days after your symptoms begin. This time period when you can spread the illness is called contagious. Young children and people with weaker immune systems might be contagious for a slightly longer period.

Flu viruses are always changing. New versions of the flu emerge frequently.

Getting the flu once gives you some protection from similar types of flu in the future. However, the flu vaccines given each year are designed to target the specific strains of flu expected to be common during that season. These vaccines usually offer protection for several months.

Several things can increase your chances of getting the flu or having problems from it.

Babies and young children, especially those under two, often have worse flu outcomes. Older adults, 65 and over, also tend to experience more severe flu cases.

People living in crowded places, like nursing homes or assisted living facilities, are more likely to catch the flu because of close contact with others.

If your immune system isn't strong or quick to fight off the flu virus, you're at higher risk. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including being born with a weaker immune system, having a recent illness, or taking medications that weaken the immune system.

Existing health conditions can make flu complications worse. Conditions like asthma, other lung problems, diabetes, heart disease, nervous system disorders, a history of stroke, metabolic issues, airway problems, and kidney, liver, or blood disorders can all make flu infections more serious.

In the US, some racial and ethnic groups, such as Native Americans and Alaska Natives, Black people, and Latinos, have a higher risk of needing a hospital stay due to the flu.

Young people who take aspirin for a long time are at risk of a serious condition called Reye's syndrome if they get the flu.

Pregnant women, particularly during the second and third trimesters, are more likely to have complications from the flu.

People with a very high body mass index (BMI) – 40 or more – are also more likely to have serious problems from the flu.

The flu is usually a mild illness for healthy young people. While you might feel very sick, most people recover fully within a week or two, without any long-term problems.

However, some people are more vulnerable to serious health issues after getting the flu. These are called complications.

One way the flu can cause complications is by making you more susceptible to other infections. This could include things like croup, sinus infections, ear infections, or even pneumonia (a lung infection). The flu can also lead to problems with the heart muscle or lining, or the central nervous system.

Beyond infections, the flu can sometimes lead to other serious complications. These can include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): This is a serious lung condition where the lungs can't work properly.
• Muscle problems: The flu can sometimes cause muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) or muscle swelling (myositis).
• Toxic shock syndrome: This is a rare but serious condition that can affect many parts of the body.
• Making existing health problems worse: If you have a chronic condition like asthma or kidney disease, the flu can make it significantly worse.

If you have concerns about the flu or its potential complications, it's always best to talk to your doctor.

The flu vaccine is a good way to protect yourself and others from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot each year, unless a doctor says it's not right for you.

Why get a flu shot?

Getting a flu shot lowers your chances of:

• Getting the flu: The vaccine helps your body build defenses against the flu virus. This protection can also extend to newborns if the vaccine is given later in a pregnant person's pregnancy.
• Having serious flu complications: A severe flu infection can lead to hospitalization. The vaccine helps reduce this risk.
• Dying from the flu: While the flu is often mild, it can be deadly, especially for vulnerable populations. The vaccine lowers this risk.

What kind of flu vaccine is there?

The 2024-2025 flu vaccines will protect against the three flu viruses experts predict will be most common this year. The vaccine comes in different forms:

• Flu shot: This is the most common type, given as an injection in the arm (or thigh for younger children).
• Flu jet injector: A faster injection method.
• Nasal spray: This is a spray that goes into your nose. It's not for everyone, though.

Who shouldn't get the nasal spray?

The nasal spray flu vaccine isn't recommended for certain people, including:

• People with a severe allergy to a flu vaccine: If you've had a severe allergic reaction in the past, talk to your doctor.
• Pregnant people: The flu shot is generally preferred during pregnancy.
• Young people taking aspirin or salicylates: This is because of potential interactions.
• People with weakened immune systems: This includes those who are caregivers or have close contact with someone with a weakened immune system.
• Children aged 2-4 with asthma or wheezing in the past year: Talk to your child's doctor.
• People who recently took antiviral flu medicine: This medicine can interfere with the vaccine's effectiveness.
• People with a cerebrospinal fluid leak (or potential leak, like those with cochlear implants): Always consult your doctor.

Other flu vaccine options:

There are also high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines. These vaccines might be helpful for people at higher risk of serious flu complications, like those over 65, or those with solid organ transplants and weakened immune systems.

Egg allergies and flu shots:

You can still get a flu shot even if you have an egg allergy.

How many doses?

Children aged 6 months to 8 years usually need two doses of the flu vaccine, at least four weeks apart, the first time they get it. After that, a single annual dose is usually sufficient. Always check with your child's doctor.

Important considerations before getting a flu shot:

• Previous serious reactions: If you've had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine before, talk to your doctor.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome: People with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should also discuss the flu vaccine with their doctor.
• Feeling sick: If you feel unwell on the day of your appointment, talk to your doctor about whether you should postpone the vaccine.

Preventing the spread of the flu:

Even with a flu shot, it's important to practice good hygiene to prevent spreading the flu:

• Wash your hands: Thoroughly wash your hands frequently with soap and water (at least 20 seconds) or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Emphasize this with family members, especially children.
• Avoid touching your face: Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Then wash your hands.
• Clean surfaces: Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces.
• Avoid crowds: Limit exposure to large gatherings during flu season.
• Stay home when sick: If you're sick, stay home until you've been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. If your symptoms worsen or return, stay away from others until you're better.

By following these simple steps, you can help protect yourself and others from the flu.

Doctors diagnose the flu (influenza) by checking you over, looking for flu symptoms, and possibly ordering a test to find the flu virus.

Flu viruses spread a lot during certain times of the year, in different parts of the world. These periods are called flu season. If flu is very common in your area, you might not need a test.

However, a flu test can help your doctor figure out the best treatment for you or if you might be spreading the virus to others. These tests can be done at a pharmacy, your doctor's office, or a hospital.

There are different types of flu tests:

• Molecular tests: These tests look for the virus's DNA or RNA. A common type is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. Sometimes you might hear them called NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) tests.

• Antigen tests: These tests look for proteins from the virus. Rapid flu tests are one example of an antigen test.

Sometimes, a test can check for both the flu and other respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19. It's possible to have both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time.

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