How many people get the flu each year and why is it so common? It is estimated that between 5% - 20% of the United States population will get the flu each year and about 200,000 Americans will be hospitalized due to severe flu-like symptoms. The reason why the flu is so common is because of how easily it spreads. All it takes is for one person with the flu to cough or sneeze in a crowded room and the virus spreads like wildfire. This post addresses flu basics, protective actions to prevent from contracting the flu and treatment. 

Basics

What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses and infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Vomiting and diarrhea

How does the flu spread?

When people with the flu cough or sneeze, tiny flu virus droplets land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The flu can also be contracted by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching the mouth, eyes or nose. You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you even know that you are sick, as well as while you are sick. 

How long is the flu contagious for?

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after symptoms are evident. Young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Who is at high risk for the flu? 

Anyone can get the flu. But some people, including those 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. 

When will flu activity begin and when will it peak?

The timing of flu is unpredictable. It vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses can be detected year-round, however, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue through April. In the United States, flu activity most commonly peaks between December and March.

Protective Actions 

How can I prevent the flu?

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. 

When and how often should I get vaccinated?

If possible, everyone should get a flu vaccine each year by the end of October. Vaccination should continue throughout the flu season, even in January or later. Some children who have received the flu vaccine previously and children who have only received one dose in their lifetime, may need two doses of flu vaccine. A health care provider can advise on how many doses a child should get.

Where can I get a flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are offered by many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even by some schools. Even if you don’t have a regular doctor or nurse, you can get a flu vaccine somewhere else, like a health department, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, and often your school, college health center, or work.

What are other everyday actions I can take to prevent contacting the flu?

The CDC recommends staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing to help slow the spread of germs that the flu. 

Treatment

What should I do if I get sick?

Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If you have symptoms of the flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. 

Certain people, including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions, are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing and treatment are needed. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs that can treat the flu. These drugs work better for treatment the sooner they are started.

Do I need to go to the emergency room if I'm a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.

If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.

Here are emergency signs common in children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
• Being unable to eat
• Has trouble breathing
• Has no tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

Here are emergency sign common in adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Are there medicines to treat the flu?

Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating the flu called “antivirals.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. 

If I'm sick, how long should I stay home?

CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

If I'm sick, what should I do?

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home than you should wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

New Information

A few things are new this season:

• Only injectable flu shots are recommended this season.
• Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses.
• There will be some new vaccines on the market this season.
• The recommendations for vaccination of people with egg allergies have changed.

If you would like to talk to a health care professional about the flu, prevention and treatment and actually get your questions answered than you should consider direct primary care. With direct primary care, you're granted all-day access to your own physician, unlimited office visits and no time restrictions. Don't wait until it's too late to learn how to prevent against this harmful virus and get your vaccine today.