According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 percent to 20 percent of Americans contract influenza each year. Although it is commonly considered a benign disease, influenza also accounts for 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the U.S. As a result, the CDC issues a variety of recommendations aimed at protecting the public from the disease.
Causes
Although influenza exists as three viruses--A, B and C--it is A and B that cause seasonal flu epidemics between November and March annually, says the CDC. Influenza C produces mild illnesses that are rarely recognized as influenza.
Spread
The CDC reports that influenza viruses spread mainly through infectious droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. Sometimes the virus spreads when a person comes in contact with droplets left behind on surfaces such as linens, dishes or household surfaces, then touches his own mouth or nose.
Symptoms
Influenza is characterized by the abrupt onset of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza-related cough is described as dry or "nonproductive," although it may sometimes yield small amounts of blood or clear sputum. A cough that produces copious amounts of sputum, especially green or yellow sputum, usually signifies something other than influenza.
Treatment
According to the CDC, most people with flu recover without medical care. Some people--including people over 65, children under 5, people with chronic medical problems, women who are pregnant or up to two weeks postpartum, and people who are severely ill--may benefit from prescription antiviral drugs.
Prevention
In its "Take Three Actions to Fight Flu" campaign, the CDC names "take time to get a flu vaccine" as the first step toward reducing the risk of flu. Nos. 2 and 3 are "take everyday preventive actions" and "take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them." Everyday preventive actions consist of habits such as washing hands before and after handling the mouth, nose or eyes and covering a sneeze or cough with a tissue, then subsequently discarding the tissue.
