Influenza Prevention

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Influenza Prevention

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What is influenza?

Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a serious respiratory illness caused by a virus. The virus is spread from infected people to the noses or throats of others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annual influenza epidemics result in an average of more than 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the United States.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Fever.
• Dry cough.
• Chills.
• Sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Headache.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Muscle aches.
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

What can be done to prevent the flu?

The recommended annual vaccination, or "flu shot" is an effective way of preventing influenza and its severe complications. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have estimated that 98.3 per 100,000 older persons (65>) die yearly from influenza and related pneumococcal pneumonia.¹

The viruses that cause influenza change often. Because of this, the influenza vaccine is updated each year by replacing at least one of the vaccine viruses with a newer one. Each year the vaccine is updated to include the most current influenza virus strains. This is done to make sure that the influenza vaccine is as effective as possible. Immunity develops about two weeks after receiving the flu shot and may last up to a year.

1 CDC MMWR July 13, 2007 56 (RR06):1-54

Who should get the flu shot?

The CDC 2007-2008 recommendation is that ALL PEOPLE six months and older receive the flu vaccination.

Are some people at higher risk than others for getting the flu?

People at high risk for serious flu complications include older people, young children and people with certain health conditions.

A yearly flu shot is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC for the following groups of people who are at increased risk for the serious complications from influenza:

• All children 6-59 months of age¹.
• Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants less than 6 months of age.
• Adults 50 years of age and older.
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
• Adults and children 6 months of age and older with chronic medical conditions of the heart, kidney, or lung, including asthma. Also, people with metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, blood disorders, anemia, neuromuscular disorders and spinal cord injuries.
• Adults and children with a weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicine or by infection from human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS] as well as from cancer treatment using x-rays or drugs).
• Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years of age) who are on long-term aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye's syndrome after the flu.
• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season.

1. Children age 6 mos-8 receiving a vaccination for the first time need a booster dose one month (or more) after the first dose.

Flu Prevention for the General Population Anyone who wants to lower their chances of getting the flu should get a flu shot. People who provide essential community services (such as police, firemen, teachers, etc.) should consider getting a flu shot to minimize disruption of essential activities during flu outbreaks. Students or others in institutional settings (those who reside in dormitories) should be encouraged to get a flu shot. Children 6 months to 8 years of age will require two separate vaccinations as a single vaccination may not provide effective protection.

When is the best time to get the flu shot?

Because the flu virus changes each year, it is important that you receive the flu vaccine every year. The best months to get vaccinated are October through December; however, you can get vaccinated throughout the flu season.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen. ¹

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Influenza Vaccine Information 2007-2008

If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care professional.

Reye's syndrome (RS)

Reye's syndrome (RS) is an unusual reaction to infection (generally by a virus) which results in brain swelling and fatty disease of the liver and kidneys that can result in death. RS is most harmful to the brain and the liver, because it causes an increase of pressure within the brain and, often, massive accumulation of fat in the liver and other organs. RS is primarily a children's disease, although it can occur at any age. It is usually a two-phase illness because it tends to occur during recovery from a viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox. The disorder can also develop 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral illness. It has been noted that there is a strong association between Reye's syndrome and aspirin. Aspirin should not be used when a child has the flu or chickenpox.

To find out more about the flu, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site by clicking here.

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