Influenza Season 2019-2020
Flu Facts for 2017-2018
49 million flu illnesses
960, 000 hospitalizations due to flu
79, 000 flu--related deaths in the U.S.
40% of the US population were vaccinated last year
What is the Flu?
An illness to the respiratory system due to the influenza virus. Symptoms of the flu can range from mild to severe and even leading to death. For example:
Cough
Sore throat
Fever/chills
Body aches
Fatigue or tiredness
Elderly adults, pregnant women, young children and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk for flu-related complications. The virus can spread when droplets in the air are inhaled from people infected with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
How to Prevent the Flu
Flu vaccination yearly for anyone over the age of 6 months
Hand hygiene (washing, hand sanitizer)
Stay away from people who are sick
Avoid large crowds during flu season
Flu Myths
Flu vaccine can cause the flu: FALSE
The vaccine contains an inactivated virus that has been further purified, making it incapable of causing the flu
Flu vaccine will make you sick: FALSE
Vaccination will not cause an illness. There are expected reactions to the vaccine such as fever, headache, and body aches lasting 1-2 days
Flu vaccine will protect against getting a cold: FALSE
Flu vaccination will protect against the influenza virus. The common cold is commonly caused by bacterial infection, which is not covered by vaccination
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza(Flu). November 5, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
