According to the CDC, 5 to 20 percent of the United States population get the flu every year. In addition, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and around 36,000 people die every year due to flu-related complications. Besides getting a flu vaccination, people can prevent getting sick through hand washing and avoiding sick people. According to the CDC, persons who are at an increased risk of contracting influenza should get a flu vaccination at the beginning of the flu season.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the flu include a high fever, headaches, tiredness, coughing, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches and diarrhea, according to the CDC. Vomiting is also another symptom of the flu; however, it is more common in children than adults.
High-Risk Persons
According to the CDC, certain persons are at a higher risk for catching the flu and developing complications. Elderly persons who are over the age of 65, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease have an increased risk. The CDC recommends that people who fall into this group get a vaccination before flu season begins.
Spreading
People can spread the influenza virus, even if they are unaware that they are infected. According to the CDC, a person with the flu is contagious one day before the onset of symptoms and up to five days afterward. People who have the flu should avoid contact with others when they are contagious.
Vaccination
Flu vaccinations are available and are recommended for high-risk persons. People have a choice between two types of vaccinations: the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine. The flu shot is approved for both healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions, and the flu shot works up to six months after the injection. The nasal-spray flu vaccination, on the other hand, is recommended for people between the ages two and 49 who are not pregnant. The flu vaccination should be given between September and January, though the vaccine can also be given later in the year, according to the CDC.
Note
The H1N1 flu, also known colloquially as the swine flu, is a different strain of flu. As of August 2009, no vaccination for the H1N1 flu is available; however, the vaccine should be available in October 2009. The same precautions of preventing the flu, such as hand washing, should be applied to preventing the H1N1 flu.
