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What is
Influenza?
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious
respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. There are
many different strains of the influenza virus because it
changes so frequently. It usually lasts between 2 and 7
days. The flu is different from a cold. Colds are
usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more
likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly
from person to person through coughing or sneezing of
people with the flu. Sometimes people may 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 may be able to pass on the flu to
someone else before you know you are sick, as well as
while you are sick.
What is in
the flu vaccine?
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu
vaccination each year. Every year in
the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the
population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are
hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000
people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as
older people, young children, and people with certain
health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu
complications.
The flu vaccine protects against the three main flu
strains that research indicates will cause the most
illness during the flu season. This year’s influenza
vaccine contains three new influenza virus strains.
They are:
A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus;
A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;
B/Brisbane 60/2008-like antigens.
The 2009-10 influenza vaccine can protect you from
getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make
your illness milder if you get a related but different
influenza virus strain.
What are
the symptoms of seasonal flu?
-
fever (usually high)
-
headache
-
extreme tiredness
-
dry cough
-
sore throat
-
runny or stuffy nose
-
muscle aches
-
stomach symptoms, such as nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea, can occur but are more
common in children than adults
Is
novel H1N1 influenza the same as seasonal flu?
No.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused
by different flu viruses than novel H1N1 influenza.
Seasonal flu occurs every year, most often during the
winter and early spring. Seasonal flu most severely
affects people 65 years and older, while novel H1N1
influenza is currently being seen in children and young
adults between the ages of 5 and 24 years old. In
addition, a new vaccine is available every year to help
prevent seasonal flu. The H1N1 virus is a new flu strain
identified in the spring of 2009 and will likely
circulate with the seasonal flu.
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be
available in the fall.
For
more info on H1N1 flu,
click here
How
does seasonal flu compare to H1N1 flu in terms of its
severity and infection rates?
Seasonal flu:
20,000 of those hospitalized from the seasonal flu are
children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths
and about 60 percent of hospitalizations occur in people
older than 65.
H1N1flu:
Current studies indicate that the risk for infection
with H1N1 flu virus among persons age 65 or older is
less than the risk for younger age groups. At this time,
there are few cases and few deaths reported in people
older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared
with seasonal flu.
Where can I get the flu vaccine in
Rockland County?
The Rockland County Department of Health
holds seasonal flu clinics each fall. These clinics are
available free of charge to adults 60 years and older.
Individuals 9 through 59 years of age may receive the
vaccine, but will be charged a fee of $25. Each patient
must bring proof of Rockland residency. For more
information about the Rockland County Department of
Health clinics, call (845) 364-2633.
In
addition, many other sites hold flu clinics such as
senior centers and pharmacies.
Visit the
American Lung Association Flu Clinic Locator
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