FLU SEASON EQ: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR THE INFLUENZA SEASON

THE FLU Flu seasons are unpredictable They may differ in timing, severity, and length of the season which varies from one year to another It is not unusual for new flue virus strains to happen every year Flu viruses constantly change every year Two different ways by which they change Antigenic Drift Antigenic Shift

WHEN IS THE FLU FIRST SEEN AND WHEN DOES IT PEAK? Timing can vary from season to season Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO PREPARE FOR THIS FLU SEASON? CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease for everyone 6 months of age and older the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season In addition, you can take everyday preventative steps: Staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others

WHAT KIND OF VACCINES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR ? While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season Traditional flu vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses (called trivalent vaccines) are available This season flu vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses (called quadrivalent vaccines) also are available

THE FLU VACCINE The trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. The following trivalent flu vaccines are available Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: Influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and influenza B viruses. Each year, these viruses are used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine The quadrivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The following quadrivalent flu vaccines are available: For the ones mentioned above as well as Influenza B virus: B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

HOW DOES THE FLU SPREAD Person to person People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away Spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs

HOW CAN THE FLU BE CONTAGIOUS? Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.

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