TABLE OF CONTENTS
Who should get
the vaccine?
Protecting
your family from the Flu
What are the
symptoms of Flu?
Treatment for
Flu
When to call your
doctor
About the flu vaccine…
Because the flu virus changes over time, you need to get a flu
shot every year.
Who should get flu vaccine?
It is important that
flu vaccine be given to people most likely to suffer complications
from the flu first:
All children 6 months – 18 years of age.
Their close contacts (people who live with them) and out of home
care givers
Anyone over 6 months with
chronic medical conditions including the following:
* asthma
or other problems of the lungs;
* immune suppression;
* chronic kidney disease;
* heart disease;
* HIV/AIDS
* diabetes;
* sickle cell anemia; or
* long-term aspirin therapy;
* any condition that can compromise respiratory function.
Healthy people are encouraged to get the
flu vaccine.
There are 2 kinds of flu vaccine:
The flu shot: The flu shot is made from killed
vaccine. The flu shot can be given to anyone 6 months of age
or older.
The nasal-spray flu-mist: The vaccine that
is sprayed into the nose is a weakened live vaccine. Only healthy
people who are 5 – 49 years of age should get the nasal
spray flu vaccine
TOP
Simple steps you can take to protect yourself
and your loved ones:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use
an alcohol based hand rub or gel frequently, especially after
visiting public places or being in contact with anyone with a
cold or the flu. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Turn
your head (never cough in the direction of someone else) and
cough or sneeze into a tissue. If tissues are not available,
cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
- Do not take young children, those with immune
system problems or the chronically ill into large crowds unnecessarily
when the flu is in your community.
- Avoid close contact (holding, hugging and kissing)
with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Be very careful with children,
as they are most likely to become sick with the flu.
- Stay home from work or school and avoid public
activities for at least 5 (7 for children) days if you have symptoms
of the flu.
- Do not share items that can spread germs and
viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items that you
put in your mouth.
- Clean things that are touched often in household,
classroom and child care settings: door or refrigerator handles,
phones, water faucets etc.
TOP
What is the flu?
The flu is a very contagious disease of the respiratory (breathing)
system. The flu is easily passed from one person to another by
coughing and sneezing. It is usually very unpleasant, but for
most people symptoms generally get better after 7 –10 days.
The flu usually starts very suddenly with:
- fever (from 102° – 104°) lasting
3 –
4 days
- headache
- severe muscle aches
- general weakness/extreme fatigue
These symptoms are accompanied by:
- dry cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
TOP
What to do if you have the flu:
- Rest in bed
- Drink lots of fluids
- Take non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen
(e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®, Motrin®,
etc.). Children and teens with the flu should never take aspirin
as they may develop a rare, but serious disease called Reye syndrome
- Stay home and avoid public activities until your
symptoms are resolved (usually 5-7 days)
- Talk with your health care provider if you are
considering prescription drugs as they can have serious side
effects in some people
- For extreme cases, visit your health care provider
or the emergency department as soon as possible
Note: If you are at high risk for complications from the flu
(see: Who Should Get the Flu Shot?), you
should consult your health care provider when your flu symptoms
begin. Your doctor may recommend certain antiviral drugs to treat
the flu.
TOP
When should you see a health care provider?
You should see a health care provider or go to an emergency room
immediately if you have any of the symptoms below:
- Severe or prolonged flu symptoms
- Rapid or labored breathing, or bluish skin
- Pain or difficulty breathing
- Becoming sick again with fever and/or a worse
cough after flu symptoms have improved
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Cough with yellow sputum or phlegm
Parents should seek medical attention for infants and
children that are:
- Not waking up; not interacting with others
- So irritable they do not want to be held
TOP
For more information about influenza visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ or
http://www.mass.gov/dph
|
