What
is the flu?
Flu is short for influenza, a virus
that can cause infection in the lungs. Although
the contents of the flu shot are the same for this
year compared to last years, the effectiveness of
last years shot only lasted six months or less.
Therefore a new flu vaccine is needed this year
to provide coverage for the new flu season.
WHO
SHOULD RECEIVE A FLU VACCINE
-
Persons with chronic heart or lung disease
-
Persons with asthma requiring regular treatment
- Children
receiving long term aspirin therapy
- Children
with chronic respiratory disorders
-
Healthy adults 65 years or older
- Health
care providers
- Family
members who may spread infection to persons with
medical problems
- Persons
with diabetes, kidney dysfunction or chronic anemia
- Persons
providing essential community services (Police
and fire persons)
- Residents
of nursing homes
Is
It a Cold or the Flu? |
| Symptoms
|
Cold
|
Flu |
| Fever |
Rare |
Characteristic,
high
(102-104F); last 3-4 days |
| Headache |
Rare |
Prominent |
| General
Aches, Pains |
Slight |
Usual;
often severe |
| Fatigue,
Weakness |
Quite
mild |
Can
last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme
Exhaustion |
Never |
Early
and prominent |
| Stuffy
Nose |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
| Sore
Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
| Chest
Discomfort, Cough |
Mild–moderate;
hacking cough |
Common;
can become severe |
| Complications |
Sinus
congestion or earache |
Bronchitis,
pneumonia; can be life-threatening |
| Prevention |
None |
Annual
vaccination; amantadine or rimantadine (antiviral
drugs) |
| Treatment |
Only
temporary relief of symptoms |
Amantadine
or rimantadine within 24-48 hours after onset
of symptoms |
|
