Preventing the flu and reducing the severity of flu illness and hospitalizations could also lessen the number of people needing to stay in the hospital. This year's seasonal flu vaccine provides protection from the four influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the year's flu season. This year, the vaccine will be available as an injection and as a nasal spray.
Avoid crowds. The flu spreads easily wherever people gather — in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and public transportation.
By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. Also avoid anyone who is sick. And if you're sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone so that you lessen your chance of infecting others.
Your local health department and the CDC may suggest other precautions to reduce your risk of COVID or the flu if you haven't been fully vaccinated. For example, you may need to practice social distancing physical distancing and stay at least 6 feet 2 meters from others outside your household.
You may also need to wear a cloth face mask when indoors with people outside your household and when outdoors in crowded areas. If you're fully vaccinated and are in an area with a high number of new COVID cases in the last week, the CDC also recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with unvaccinated people.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. More Information Flu: When to see a doctor? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Flu shots Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.
Antivirals can also be used to prevent flu. If you hear that there is a flu outbreak in your area, check with your doctor. He or she could prescribe an antiviral that might protect you. Prevention is key. The first choice for preventing the flu is a flu shot.
If you are sick, try to rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids, like juice and water but not alcohol. Medicine such as acetaminophen can bring down your fever, which might help with the aches and pains.
It is important not to smoke if you are sick with the flu. It is a respiratory illness that can infect your lungs, as well as your nasal passages. These same areas are also bothered by smoking. Take it easy as much as you can until you are well. Sometimes a new, different kind of flu virus appears. You may have heard about the avian or bird flu. This flu is an example of how changes in a flu virus might lead to serious illness.
However, there is some good news about bird flu. It is rare in people. In most cases, the bird flu has not passed from one person to another, and so, it might not become widespread in humans. But this could change over time. Scientists are working on new vaccines that can help protect people from bird flu. Right now, having seasonal flu does not build your body's protection against bird flu. Food and Drug Administration toll-free druginfo fda.
American Lung Association toll-free info lung. Vaccine Finder vaccine healthmap. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. On this page: How serious is the flu? How does the flu spread? Flu symptoms in school-age children and adolescents are similar to those in adults.
Flu in preschool children and infants is hard to pinpoint since its symptoms are so similar to infections caused by other viruses. If the symptoms mentioned above are present and the flu is circulating in your area, please contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses spread when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk, sending droplets with the virus into the air and potentially into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. You can also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose.
You can spread the flu before you know you are sick, beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time. Influenza is a very serious illness for anyone at high risk. Certain diseases that place people at high risk include:. Get a flu shot 2. Wash your hands 3.
Get prompt medical attention if you develop flu symptoms 4. Keep your distance when you're sick or if you're around someone who is sick. For your yearly flu shot. But you can get the vaccine later.
If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you. Due to high demand for the flu vaccine, there may be some delays getting a vaccination appointment. Your GP surgery or pharmacy should be able to tell you when more appointments are available. Page last reviewed: 06 August Next review due: 06 August Check if you have flu Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: a sudden high temperature of 38C or above an aching body feeling tired or exhausted a dry cough a sore throat a headache difficulty sleeping loss of appetite diarrhoea or tummy pain feeling sick and being sick The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
Telling the difference between cold and flu Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe. Differences between cold and flu Flu Cold Appears quickly within a few hours Appears gradually Affects more than just your nose and throat Affects mainly your nose and throat Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal Makes you feel unwell, but you're OK to carry on as normal for example, go to work.
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