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Key Facts about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Types of Flu
Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N11 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available as the virus has not been passed from human to human yet.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
Complications of Flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
How Flu Spreads/How to Prevent the Flu
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
- People at high risk for complications from the flu:
- People 65 years and older.
- Adults and children 6 months or older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease, chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system.
- Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
- All children 6 to 23 months of age.
- People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions.
- People 50 to 64 years of age.
- People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications.
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