Flu

Flu season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter, but timing and severity of flu season can vary from year to year.

Flu viruses mainly spread from person to person by droplets. This happens when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are sent through the air and land on the mouth, nose, or eyes of people nearby. Flu viruses may also spread when a person touches droplets on an object or surface and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes before washing their hands.

Every year in the United States, part of the population becomes sick with the flu. Children younger than 18 are more likely to become sick with the flu than other age groups.

Most healthy adults may be able to spread the flu others beginning one day before they feel ill and up to five days after becoming sick. Children and immunocompromised people may pass the virus for longer than ten days.

Some people can be infected with flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, they can still spread influenza to others when they sneeze or cough.

It can take one to four days (average two days) from when a person is exposed to flu virus for symptoms to develop. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly, while cold symptoms usually start slowly.

People infected with the flu usually have mild symptoms and are able to manage their symptoms on their own. The flu may include these symptoms:

• Fever (usually ≥101°F)
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are more common in children than adults
• Dry cough
• Muscle aches/body aches
• Weakness

In rare cases, individuals may develop serious complications with severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms may include:

• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Ongoing dizziness
• Seizures
• Worsening of existing medical conditions
• Severe weakness or muscle pain
• In children, bluish color of the skin and dehydration are considered emergency symptoms

1. Wash your hands | Cover your cough & sneezes
   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching surfaces in public areas. When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol may be used.
   • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly and wash your hands immediately afterward.
2. Stay home when sick.
   • Return to normal activities when your symptoms are better overall and you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.
3. Get immunized every year!
   • It is recommended that all people six months of age or older get a flu immunization in the fall. View what may be recommended specifically for you and where to get a flu immunization below.