Influenza -- General Information
Influenza Home Page
General Information
Influenza is a contagious, respiratory disease that can be prevented
by immunization. It is caused by a virus that affects the respiratory
track (nose, throat,
and lungs) but is different from a cold. Influenza symptoms come quickly
in the form of fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal
congestion, and body aches. These symptoms can be severe and
debilitating for a number of days. The best way to avoid influenza is to
get a flu shot.
On this page:
What is influenza (the flu)?
Influenza is a contagious disease that is
caused by the influenza virus. It affects the respiratory tract in
humans (nose, throat, and lungs). Influenza is different from a cold
and is not what most people refer to as 'stomach flu'. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these
symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Body aches
These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like
symptoms."
How is the influenza virus spread from one person
to another?
Influenza is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends
influenza virus into the air, and other
people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or
lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of influenza.
Influenza may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface
that has influenza viruses on it – a door handle, for instance – and then
touches his or her nose or mouth.
Is influenza contagious?
A person can spread influenza starting one day before he or she feels
sick. Adults can continue to pass the influenza virus to others for another
three to seven days after symptoms start. Children can pass the
virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days
after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with
the influenza virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those
persons can still spread the virus to others.
What should I do if I get influenza?
- Stay home if you are sick
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of liquids
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
- Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu
- Good respiratory hygiene should be encouraged including cleaning
of hands
Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics (like penicillin)
don’t work to cure it. The best way to prevent the flu is to get
an influenza vaccine (flu shot) each fall, before flu season.
Since Influenza viruses can change each year, influenza
vaccines must be developed for each season, and annual influenza
vaccination is needed for protection.
What is Influenza A and Influenza B and how
are they different?
Influenza B is another type of influenza. Influenza B viruses tend to
change less often than influenza A viruses. However, like influenza A,
the potential occurrence of influenza B in Wisconsin cannot be
predicted. It may occur at the same time as influenza A is occurring
throughout the state, or cases may occur in the state before or after
reported cases of influenza A. An influenza B virus is always included
in the annual vaccine, so anyone who received a flu shot this year would
have protection against influenza B as well.
Do Influenza B Infections Cause Worse Illness In Children Than
Influenza A Infections Cause?
Although anyone can become infected with influenza B, children
infected with influenza B will usually show symptoms more frequently
than adults infected with influenza B. However, on average, influenza B
infections actually result in less severe illness than influenza
A infections among all age groups, including children.
What If You or Your Child Is at High Risk for
Serious Complications of the Flu?
- Contact your health care provider and try to get vaccinated.
You may need to call a different clinic or your local
health department if your normal health care provider is out of
vaccine.
- If you cannot find a clinic with vaccine, discuss other options
with your health care provider, including anti-viral medications or
not attending child care or school.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Links
All external hyperlinks are provided for your
information and for the benefit of the general public. The Department of
Health and Family Services does not testify to, sponsor, or endorse the
accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.
Influenza Home Page
Last Revised: March 20, 2008 |
