Influenza

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu season in the United States usually ranges from November through March, and sometimes into early spring. Flu or influenza is caused by viruses, which infect the nose, throat and lungs. (Read about "Respiratory System") Flu is also very contagious. CDC says a person can spread the flu starting one day before he or she even feels sick, and continue to pass the flu virus to others for several days after symptoms start. Those symptoms can include:

• fever
• chills
• dry cough
• muscle aches
• extreme fatigue

In addition, there may be a sore throat, headache and nasal congestion. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes accompany the flu as well, although CDC says these are not the primary symptoms of the flu. (Read about "Diarrhea") What people may call the "stomach flu" is actually gastroenteritis. (Read about "Gastroenteritis")

Most people can recover from the flu in a week or two. But that doesn't mean flu should be taken lightly. Potential complications from the flu are serious and can include bronchitis or pneumonia. (Read about "Acute Bronchitis" "Pneumonia") Left untreated these complications can be life threatening. These kinds of complications become especially serious for infants, young children and as we get older. (Read about "Baby & Young Child Care" "Seniors and Flu")

Although you can't always avoid people who have the flu, you can talk to your doctor about flu shots. Flu shots are available for everyone, even children as young as 6 months old. CDC recommends a flu shot yearly for most people. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says it is even more important for people in certain high risk groups to consider flu shots, including those who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, people with chronic heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, anemia or immune system problems including AIDS, and people over the age of 50. (Read about "Coronary Heart Disease" "Respiratory System" "Diabetes" "Kidney Disease" "Anemia" "The Immune System" "HIV / AIDS") The American Lung Association (ALA) says that people with asthma (Read about "Asthma") should also consider getting a flu shot. AAFP says if you do want a flu shot, the time to think about getting it is October and November.

There are some people who should not get flu shots. ALA says people who are allergic to eggs or any component of the vaccine should not get the vaccination. (Read about "Food Allergies" "Allergies") That's because the viral material in flu vaccines is grown in eggs. In addition, people currently suffering from an acute illness and/or fever should wait until fully recovered before receiving the vaccine.

Flu vaccine is normally given by a shot in the arm. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved a nasal mist as a flu vaccine. The nasal mist should not be taken by people with compromised immune systems, according to FDA, and may not be safe for people over the age of 50 or for people with asthma or other reactive airway diseases.

There are also prescription anti-viral medications that can be taken after flu symptoms appear. These medications can reduce the duration of your illness, but they must be taken soon after symptoms begin. In some cases, medication can be used as a preventative; however, these medications are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. These medications also may not be effective against all strains of the flu. This class of drugs - called neuraminidase inhibitors - are available in different forms, including a liquid that is swallowed and a mist that is inhaled orally. The oral mist is not recommended for people with asthma, COPD or other airway diseases. (Read about "Asthma" "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease") These drugs are also not appropriate for people with compromised immune systems, infants and others. There are additional concerns about side effects which you should discuss with your doctor.

Cold or flu?

At certain times of the year, it seems as if everyone is achy, sneezing or complaining about a sore throat. But with so many symptoms out there, how can you determine if you have a cold (Read about "The Common Cold") or flu? Well, there's no way to know for sure, but there are some differences.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases offers these guidelines:

• Fever - For colds, fever is rare; For flu, fever is characteristic, high (102-104°F), and lasts 3-4 days
• Headache - For colds, headache is rare; For flu, headaches are prominent
• General aches & pains - For colds, general aches are slight; For flu, aches and pains are typical and can be severe
• Fatigue, weakness - For colds, fatigue is quite mild; For flu, fatigue can last up to 2-3 weeks
• Extreme exhaustion - For colds, exhaustion is not a normal symptom; For flu, exhaustion is early and prominent
• Stuffy nose - For colds, stuffy nose is common; In flu, a stuffy nose is sometimes present
• Sneezing - For colds, sneezing is usual; For flu, sneezing is sometimes present
• Sore throat - For colds, sore throat is common; For flu, sore throat is sometimes present (Read about "Sore Throat and Strep Throat")
• Chest discomfort, cough - For colds, chest discomfort is mild to moderate; For flu, chest discomfort is common and can become severe

AAFP says that, while over a hundred different viruses can cause colds, there aren't as many that can cause flu (which is why there's a shot for flu, but not for colds). Although colds and flu seem to be more common in colder weather, you don't actually develop them as a reaction to the colder temperatures. Many experts believe the increase is due to the fact that people tend to spend more time indoors with others during the winter months, which increases the chances of a virus spreading.

Feeling better

There are no foolproof ways to keep yourself free of colds or flu. But the American Pharmaceutical Association (APA) has these suggestions to help you feel better:

• stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids
• breathing in hot vapors from a shower may help you feel better
• elevate your head at night to help nasal passages drain
• blow your nose to clear any congestion, but do it gently and blow both nostrils at the same time
• use medication for specific symptoms when appropriate

Different ingredients in medications do different things. For example, decongestants can relieve congestion and shrink swelling in your nose and sinuses. Antihistamines can stop sneezing and itching. Analgesics can relieve pain; however, APA says never give children or teenagers aspirin since aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome in young people who have viral infections. In addition, people who suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, a thyroid condition, glaucoma, and men who have an enlarged prostate should take decongestants only under a doctor's care. (Read about "Hypertension: High Blood Pressure" "Thyroid" "Glaucoma" "Prostate")

CDC says there are also antiviral drugs that have been approved for preventing or treating the flu. These drugs can reduce the severity of flu symptoms, and shorten the amount of time you are sick by a day or two. CDC says antiviral drugs are effective only against influenza viruses. They will not help the symptoms associated with the common cold or many other flu-like illnesses caused by viruses that circulate in the winter.

Before taking any medications, of course, always tell the doctor and pharmacist about other medications you're already taking. Remember, even over-the-counter medications can produce side effects or potentially dangerous interactions, so always be cautious. (Read about "Medicine Safety")

Related Information:

    Microorganisms

    Respiratory Illnesses

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Blood Donation Guidelines