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Flu Information
H1N1 Flu Information
Seasonal Flu Vaccines
H1N1 Flu Vaccines | Millions of people in the United States – about 5% to 20% of U.S. residents – will get the flu each year. An average of about 36,000 people per year in the Unites States die from flu-related causes, and more than 200,000 have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of flu-related causes. For that reason, it’s extremely important to get a seasonal flu vaccine. In addition, you should take precautions to protect yourself from the flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.
- While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Flu
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Sometimes diarrhea
The Flu is Contagious
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. 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. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms.
Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them
- If you you do get the flu, antiviral drugs are an important treatment option. (They are not a substitute for vaccination.)
- Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight the flu by keeping viruses from reproducing in your body.
- Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
- For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
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