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What is the "flu?"
Contrary to popular belief, the flu, or influenza virus, is not the same as the stomach flu. While organisms from spoiled food or contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal irritation, the influenza virus type A or B causes a respiratory infection. Flu-like symptoms are very similar to that of the common cold; however fatigue, fever, headache, and respiratory congestion are much worse. The flu season can start as early as September and last as late as March.
How is the "flu" spread?
The influenza virus is spread from person-to-person via respiratory secretions, usually among large groups of people with close contact in school classrooms, offices, nursing homes, and college dormitories just to name a few. It can be spread by sharing drinks or just simply handling the same items as someone who has been infected. Once a person touches their nose, mouth, or eyes, their hands are infected with the virus which can contaminate other objects if hands aren't properly washed or sanitized. Therefore, proper hand washing is the key factor in preventing the spread of influenza.
What is the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine now has two delivery methods:
An injection. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that contains the killed influenza virus. Keyword: KILLED. Because of this, no one can get the flu from this vaccine. In some cases, one may have caught the virus prior to vaccination but received the shot before symptom onset since the flu virus has an incubation period of several weeks. In
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fants as young as 6 months old, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions can receive a flu shot. With the injection, some potential (temporary) side effects include pain and redness at the injection site, mild muscle aches or fever.
A nasal spray. FluMist contains a low dose of live, but weakend flu virus. This nasal spray shouldn't cause the flu virus either, but however, can cause an immune response in the respiratory airways or elsewhere in the body. This nasal spray is approved for only non-pregnant healthy individuals ages 2 through 49 years.
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Most people can get the flu shot in hopes of decreasing the risk of getting infected. The CDC recommends vaccination of the following high-risk populations:
Ages 6 months to 4 years
Child on long-term Aspirin therapy
Pregnant women
At least 50 years of age
Have a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney, lung disease
Have a weakened immune system
Nursing home and long-term care facility resident
Child care or health care worker
Household member of someone at high risk of complications from the flu
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