What is influenza?
Influenza is commonly referred to as "the flu." It is a viral infection of the lungs. There are two main types of influenza virus: A and B. Each type includes many different strains that tend to change from year to year.

When does influenza occur?
Influenza occurs most often in the late fall and winter months in the United States.

Who gets influenza? How is it spread?
Anyone can get influenza, but it is most serious in young children, pregnant women, elderly people, people with chronic illnesses (e.g., lung disease, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes) and those with weak immune systems. Influenza spreads easily in discharges from the nose or throat when an infected person coughs or sneezes

What are the symptoms of influenza? How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure. Influenza symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches. Diarrhea is not common. Although most people are ill for less than a week, some people have complications and may need to be hospitalized

How is influenza diagnosed and treated?
Laboratory tests are available to diagnose influenza; however, doctors usually diagnose influenza from the person's symptoms. Rest, liquids, and over-the-counter medicines for fever and discomfort are the usual treatments. Prescription antiviral drugs are available and may reduce the severity of influenza. Aspirin should not be given to children with fever-causing illnesses because of the possibility of a complication called Reye's syndrome.

How long can a person spread influenza?
Influenza can spread from one person to another beginning about one day before symptoms appear through about a week after onset.

Who should be vaccinated against influenza?
All persons aged six months or older should be vaccinated against influenza each year. Particular effort should be made to immunize people at higher risk for influenza infection or complications. This includes:

      •     All children aged 6 months-18 years, and all persons aged >50 years
      •     Pregnant and postpartum women
      •     Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
      •     Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
      •     People who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma
      •     People who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic
            fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV), or a seizure disorder

To help prevent the spread of influenza to people in high risk groups, those who live with people in a high risk group and healthcare workers who provide care to high risk patients should also receive an annual influenza shot. Travelers to countries outside of the U.S. may also need to consider influenza vaccination.

If I was vaccinated last year do I need a new flu vaccine this year?
Protection offered by the influenza vaccine typically only lasts for several months. It is therefore important that you receive a new vaccine every year.

What are other steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of influenza?
You can take three important steps to fight the flu: 1) Get vaccinated. 2) Stop the spread of flu and other germs by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands often to help protect yourself from germs, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, staying home from work, school, and other activities when you are sick, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. 3) Use antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.