04:05 PM PDT on Thursday, October 21, 2004

What is flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and can range from mild to severe illness, even death. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall.

Every year in the U.S., 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and about 36,000 people die from flu complications.

Older people, young children and people with certain health conditions are considered high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms and complications

Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches; gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are more common among children than adults.

Some of the complications include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Children may experience sinus problems or get ear infections.

How flu spreads

The flu spreads in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Adults may be able to infect others one day before any symptoms appear and up to seven days after getting sick.

Preventing flu

Besides getting a flu vaccine each fall, there also are certain good health habits that can help prevent the flu. In addition, antiviral medications may be used to prevent the flu.

For some, FluMist, the nasal flu vaccine, is a viable option. The vaccine is designed for use only by individuals aged 5 to 49 in good health, but because it is a live virus it us not an option for high-risk people.

Who should get vaccinated?

Because of a shortfall in flu shot production for this season, CDC is recommending that the following people be given priority for getting the flu shot:

- all children aged 6 to 23 months;

- adults aged 65 years and older;

- persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;

- all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;

- residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;

- children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;

- health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and

- out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months.

Who should not get vaccinated?

There are some people who should not be vaccinated, including:

- children under the age of 6 months;

- people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;

- people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past;

- people who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously;

- people who are sick with a fever.

Good health habits

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others when you are sick.

- Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

- Washing your hands thoroughly and often.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth in order to prevent the spreading of germs.

- Practice good hygiene, get good nutrition and plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly.

- Don't share towels, cups or toothbrushes.

- Get alcohol-based hand-sanitizing gels, which can be effective in reducing risk of exposure to the flu virus, and carry moist towelettes with you for quick hand washing.

If you feel ill

Stay home, drink plenty of fluids and keep your fever down with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Limit your contact with other people to prevent spreading your illness to your friends or family.