Influenza - Spotlight on Influenza
Influenza is a contagious virus that can cause a range of symptoms including fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches. Diarrhea and vomiting may also occur although these symptoms are more likely to be seen in children. Symptoms of influenza range from mild to severe with some cases resulting in complications of pneumonia and death.
Although anyone can get the flu, young children, adults 65 and older, and persons of any age with a chronic medical condition are more likely to have complications of influenza. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths are attributed to complications of influenza each year in the United States. The peak of flu season in the United States generally occurs between late December and March.
The influenza virus is usually spread from person to person through droplets generated during coughing and sneezing. The virus can also be spread if a person touches a surface contaminated with the virus.
The best way to prevent influenza is to get the flu vaccine each season. Because of a flu vaccine shortage, the CDC is recommending that only persons in certain priority groups receive the vaccine this season. Priority groups for influenza vaccine include the following:
Persons aged 65 years and older
Persons aged 2 to 64 years who have an underlying chronic medical condition
All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
Health-care workers involved in direct patient care
Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months of age
Good hygiene is important in preventing the transmission of the influenza virus, particularly when access to vaccine is limited. Everyone should take the following steps to help prevent transmission of the influenza virus:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (especially after coughing or sneezing)
Avoid contact of your hands with eyes, nose, and mouth
Influenza can be diagnosed by laboratory tests. If you have the flu or think you have the flu, you should get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and avoid using alcohol or tobacco. You can also take medications to relieve the symptoms but aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers because research has demonstrated an association between the development of Reye’s syndrome, a deadly disease, and the use of aspirin for treatment of flu-like symptoms. There are several antiviral medications that are approved for the treatment of influenza. These medications, available only with a physician’s prescription, must be started within two days of the onset of symptoms and be continued for five days.
Nicole Baker, MPH
Division of Disease Control
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
http://www.phila.gov/health/