Flu&

Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus) Are there medicines to treat infection
Kidney disorders with flu?
Liver disorders Yes. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills,

You
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu
disorders and mitochondrial disorders) in your body. While a flu vaccine is the first and most
important step in preventing flu, antiviral drugs are a
Weakened immune system due to disease or
medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, second line of defense to treat the flu if you get sick.
or those on chronic steroids) Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter; you must
have a prescription to get them. Antiviral drugs are not
People younger than 19 years of age who are
a substitute for vaccination.
receiving long-term aspirin therapy
People who have extreme obesity (Body Mass How long should I stay home if Im sick?
Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater)
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24
If you (or your child) are in one of the groups above and hours after your fever is gone except to get medical
develop flu-like symptoms, consult a health care pro- care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be
vider to get advice about seeking medical care. Also, its gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
possible for otherwise healthy people to develop severe Stay away from others as much as possible to keep
illness, so any one concerned about their illness should from making others sick. Continue to cover coughs and
consult their doctor. sneezes and wash hands even after you return to work.
There are emergency warning signs that should It is important to know that even if you dont have a
signal anyone to seek medical care urgently. fever, you may have flu and be contagious if you get flu
symptoms.

Emergency Warning Signs In Children: Flu Symptoms can include

Fast breathing or trouble breathing fever *
Bluish skin color cough
Not drinking enough fluids sore throat
Not waking up or not interacting runny or stuffy nose
Being so irritable that the child does not want body aches
to be held
headache
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with
chills
fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash fatigue
sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

In Adults: *Its important to note that not everyone with flu

will have a fever.
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
For more information, visit
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
http://www.cdc.gov/flu

Sudden dizziness or call

Confusion 800-CDC-INFO.
August 2016
Severe or persistent vomiting CS269506-A
 Influenza (Flu) Prevention
A flu vaccine is the first and most
#1 #3 Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor
Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to
hospitalization and sometimes death. important step in protecting against
flu viruses. prescribes them.

How does flu spread? While there are many different flu viruses, the flu
vaccine protects against the viruses that research indicates If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by will be most common. These drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time
droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or you are sick.
talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of Flu vaccines protect against three or four viruses;
people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the an H1N1, an H3N2, and one or two influenza B viruses, Antiviral drugs work best when started in the first 2
lungs. A person might also get flu by touching a surface depending on the vaccine. days of symptoms to treat people who are very sick (such as
or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their those who are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe flu illness.
own eyes, mouth or nose. vaccinated against the flu each year.
How long can a sick person spread Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important
flu to others? to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. Vaccination also is If You Get Sick
important for health care workers, and those who live with
People infected with flu shed virus and may be able to or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to
infect others from 1 day before getting sick to about high risk people. What should I do if I get sick?
5-7 days after getting sick. This can be longer in some
people, especially children and people with weakened Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of If you become ill with influenza symptoms you should stay
immune systems. This means that you may be able to serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. home and avoid contact with other people except to seek
pass on the flu to someone else before you know you People who care for or live with them should be vaccinated medical care. Most people are able to recover at home
are sick, as well as while you are sick. to protect these babies. from flu without medical care.

How severe is illness associated with flu? However, some people are at greater risk of serious

Each flu season, different flu viruses spread and affect #2 Take everyday actions to help prevent the spread
of germs that cause respiratory illnesses.
flu-related complications. They are:
Children younger than 5, but especially children
people differently based on their bodys ability to fight
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. younger than 2 years old
infection. Even healthy children and adults can get very
sick from the flu and spread it to friends, co-workers, and People 65 and older
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends
family. In the United States, millions of people have to that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks
visit the doctor because of flu and hundreds of thou- gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. postpartum)
sands are hospitalized from flu complications each year. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever- People who have:
While flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at reducing medicine. Asthma
greater risk for severe illness resulting in hospitalization While sick, limit contact with others as much as
or death. This includes older adults, young children,
Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
possible to keep from infecting them. [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral
people with certain long term health conditions such as
asthma, diabetes, and heart disease and women who are Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy
pregnant. (See What should I do if I get sick? for the cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental
full list of high risk factors.) retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay,
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
What can I do to protect myself from Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
getting sick from flu?
spread this way. Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease,
CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting flu: congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be
vaccination, everyday preventive actions, and the correct
contaminated with germs like the flu. Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.