Seasonal Influenza
What is seasonal flu?
Influenza (“flu”) is a virus that
typically affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The illness usually
lasts between three and seven days and symptoms include fever,
headache, cough, aches and sore throat.
Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness which spreads easily from person to person. Influenza can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect against influenza, and is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, every year.
People
need to get vaccinated against the flu every year because vaccine
protection lessens over time. So, even if they got vaccine last year,
they still need it this year. And it is not possible to predict how
mild or severe this flu season will be.
Anyone can
get sick from the flu. No matter how healthy you are, you can catch
the flu. And you may be sick for 2-3 weeks or more, interfering with
work, school, other activities and time spent with family and friends.
Even
if you get a mild case of the flu, you can still spread it to other
people. Like your family, friends and co-workers.
What is the difference between pandemic influenza and seasonal influenza?
Seasonal outbreaks (epidemics) are caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that are already in existence among people, whereas pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes or by subtypes that have never circulated (spread) among people or that have not circulated among people for a long time. Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
Additional Information for Seasonal Flu
- General Influenza Information
- HHSA Flu Update
- For more information on seasonal flu and vaccines, phone (866) 358-2966.
- Please visit the About Pandemics page of the www.flu.gov website.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains current information on Influenza (Flu).
For more information about pandemic influenza, send us an email or phone (619) 692-8499.