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Influenza
What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza, commonly called "the flu," is a viral respiratory disease.
What types of flu are there?
There are three types of flu virus: A, B and C. Influenza A and B are the most common.
Each type has many different strains, which tend to change each year. New strains are
named by both type and place where they are found, first.
How serious is the flu?
For most healthy children and adults, flu is typically a moderately severe illness.
Most people recover within a week. A complication called Reye Syndrome can occur if a
child with flu takes any form of aspirin or salicylates. Flu is most serious for the
elderly, people with chronic underlying illnesses such as cancer, emphysema or diabetes,
or those with weak immune systems.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, stuffy head, muscle aches, general
weakness, and congestion in the nose, throat, and lungs. Intestinal symptoms are uncommon.
Fevers may rise as high as 104 degrees, but usually subside in two or three days. Flu
victims also may be exhausted for days after other symptoms go away. Permanent
complications are rare, but influenza can be fatal for some people.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Usually one to five days after exposure.
How is it spread?
Influenza is highly contagious and is transmitted through droplets from the
nose and throat of an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Washing hands may
help prevent illness because flu can be transmitted by direct hand to hand
contact or by touching an object after an infected person has touched it with
contaminated hands and then touching the nose or eyes.
When and how long is a person with the flu contagious?
The contagious period varies, but normally begins the day before symptoms appear and
lasts for a week.
When does flu occur?
Flu occurs most often in the winter. Flu-like symptoms in summer months are usually due
to other viruses.
Who gets the flu?
Anyone can get influenza. During flu season, typically 10 - 20%, but up to 50% of the non-immunized
population will contract influenza.
Is there a vaccine available?
Risk for influenza can be reduced by yearly vaccines, or "flu shots." Flu
season typically begins in November in Washington, so shots should be given
October through December. People
who get a flu shot too early can be at risk again later in the season because the shot
only lasts about six months.
How effective is the vaccine?
Because new influenza viruses often appear, the effectiveness of the vaccine can vary
from year to year. Studies show that in years when new strains emerge, people in high-risk
groups who obtain annual flu shots tend to have milder illness and are less likely to be
hospitalized with complications due to influenza A.
Can the vaccine (flu shot) give you the flu?
No. The vaccine is made form killed influenza virus. The vaccine cannot give you
the flu.
What is the treatment?
Bed rest and liquids are usually enough. Prescription drugs may prevent or reduce the severity of influenza. Acetaminophen can lessen fever and body aches. However, these treatments
are not a substitute for influenza vaccines (flu shot), which are available through your
primary care provider or local health department. Aspirin or salicylates should not be
given to children with the flu.
Does past infection with influenza make a person immune?
No. Because viruses that cause flu change frequently, people who have had the flu or a
flu shot in previous years may become infected with a new strain. Some people in high-risk
groups should be vaccinated every 6 months.
High risk persons who should receive vaccine include:
- Persons aged 50 or older
- Persons with depressed immunity
- Persons who have chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, cystic
fibrosis, diabetes, anemia, severe asthma, emphysema, cancer or immunological
disorders, or other medical conditions for which they are under the close
supervision of a health care provider
- Persons living in a nursing home or other care facility
- Household contacts of high-risk persons
- Health care providers who work with high-risk patients
- Any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza
Where can I get more information?
For more information call Immunization Program (360) 236-3595 or Communicable Disease Epidemiology at (206)
361-2914 or toll-free 877-539-4344, or the
American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA.
Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site
will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who
are unable to download or view .pdf files on the Web.
To request an alternative
format, contact: Webmaster.
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