Flu Season in Full Swing

National Flu Awareness Week

Flu

• The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
• People of every age, including people in good health, are at risk of flu.
• Influenza can cause illness & sometimes severe disease in persons of any age.
• Flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of t1ospita1lzatlons and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States.
• Although a majority of hospitalizations and deaths occur in people 65 years and older, even healthy young children and younger adults can have severe disease or even die from influenza.
• Over 100 pediatric deaths from influenza were reported to CDC last season.

Flu Vaccinations

• An annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against this potentially
  serious disease.

– Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits, missed work and
school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

– Flu vaccination also may make your illness milder if you do get sick.

– Getting vaccinated yourself protects people around you, including those    who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young
children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

• Despite the unpredictable nature of the flu, you should know:

– You need the 2017-2018 flu vaccine for optimal protection against the
flu this season because:

o Flu viruses are constantly changing, and this season’s vaccines
have been updated to protect against the viruses that
surveillance data indicate will be most common this flu season

o  A person’s immune protection from vaccine declines over time so
annual flu vaccination is needed for the best protection

• It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protects against influenza virus infection.
• While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, flu activity is usually highest between December and February, though activity can last as late as May. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even in January or later.
• With flu activity increasing & family & friends planning gatherings for the holidays, now is the time to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t been vaccinated yet this season. A flu vaccine can protect you & your loved ones from the flu.