In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the opposite. Flu season typically runs from April to September and often peaks during August, although it varies by region. These are the winter months for the Southern Hemisphere, which brings us to a common theme: Influenza and winter go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. And that's thanks to a protective gel-like coating that surrounds the flu virus while it's in the air.
The flu is an airborne infectious disease. So in order to spread , the virus needs to survive long enough in the air to travel from one person to the next. And that's where the virus's gel-like coating helps when it's cold outside. In colder temperatures, that capsule, which is made of fats and oils called lipids, hardens into a shell around the virus.
This protects the virus and keeps it alive long enough to spread between victims. For comparison, this isn't as easy to do when it's warm outside because the lipid coating degrades, exposing the virus to the environment where it can easily get destroyed before finding a host. Once the virus is inside you , your body temperature degrades the coating, releasing the virus. After that, the virus starts to wreak havoc and replicate in hopes of infecting you and the next bystander.
If you get the flu, you will be contagious for 5 to 7 days after your symptoms begin. These and other conditions may complicate a flu infection, necessitating hospitalization. The same precautions must be taken for children who are younger than the age of five, especially for children below the age of two. Flu infections have the potential to result in extreme discomfort and even death, so it is important that parents take action to help their children avoid getting sick this flu season. The most effective way to prevent a child from getting the flu is by administering a flu vaccination.
Some schools will also facilitate a flu vaccination program to prevent a school-wide influenza outbreak. This broad level of availability means even children who do not have a regular doctor can get protection from influenza. The flu vaccine is widely available, but some people may be concerned about things such as when to receive a vaccination, why they actually need it, and whether getting vaccinated can have adverse effects. Learn more about the answers to these questions using the facts listed in this CDC guide to flu vaccinations.
The CDC advises that promoting proper hygiene is a fundamental way to stop the spread of germs that cause the flu. To this effect, parents should teach their children how to interact with their environment in a way that helps them avoid spreading or receiving the flu. First, to avoid getting sick, children need to avoid close contact with people who already have the flu.
Conversely, people who know they have the flu should take extra precautions to minimize the impact of their infectiousness. Making the following simple changes to habits can also help prevent spreading the flu:. Antiviral drugs are prescription medications that fight viral infections. While the flu vaccine is highly effective for preventing the spread of influenza, it is not a guaranteed way of preventing the disease. When a person catches the flu, antiviral drugs may help the individual avoid a trip to the hospital.
This medicine can potentially reduce the severity of symptoms and cut the length of the sickness by up to two days. There are currently two approved antiviral drugs for children that can be used this flu season:. If they can catch the signs of an influenza infection early, they can better comfort their children and take action to prevent them from spreading the flu to their peers and classmates.
There is a spectrum of tests that can be used to detect influenza. Some of them are faster and more accurate than others. Typically, patients will need to see a nurse or physician to receive a diagnostic test for the flu. The CDC also has guidelines for stopping the spread of germs that cause diseases, such as the flu, listed on its flu prevention steps page. When young children are infected with the flu, they usually experience the same symptoms as adults—typically fever, chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, sore throats, and headaches.
In addition to these symptoms, they are also prone to be afflicted by potentially severe health complications following the contraction of the flu:. This is especially true for children and the elderly.
To identify whether a fever associated with the flu may require investigation by a medical professional, evaluate the following potentially dangerous high fever symptoms:. In children, pneumonia commonly stems from the same virus like influenza.
Therefore, pneumonia can be prevented by a collective effort to reduce the number of germs that are allowed to spread. This disease entails nearly the same symptoms as influenza but to a far more serious extent. Additionally, people with pneumonia may experience confusion, muscle pain, and joint pain. These symptoms are generally more damaging to children and elderly people.
Therefore, these groups have their health evaluated to determine whether their flu symptoms are improving or getting significantly worse. Approximately , Americans get pneumonia each year, and between 5 and 7 percent die from it.
Antiviral drugs can be used to limit the impact of the flu on the immune system, preventing severe symptoms and complications that may lead to pneumonia. Flu vaccination is generally recommended by the end of October, but vaccination in later months November through January and even February is still beneficial if it occurs BEFORE flu starts spreading in your community.
While flu activity may be low in your community now, it could begin increasing at any time and you want to be protected when it starts to spread. After you get your flu vaccine, your body takes about 2 weeks to build immunity protection from flu. A few exceptions: Some children 6 months through 8 years need 2 doses of flu vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart.
Pregnant people can safely get a flu shot during any trimester, but pregnant individuals in their 3rd trimester should get a flu shot as soon as possible, as this will help protect both them and their babies from serious flu illness and related complication s.
Pregnant individuals should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine. Flu shots have been safely given to pregnant women for many years, and their safety continues to be carefully monitored through the U. For help finding a flu vaccine near you, go to vaccines. Benefits of Flu Vaccination Getting a flu vaccine every year is very important. Getting a flu vaccine can: Keep you from getting sick with flu. Help you and your family members prevent serious flu illness and flu-related complications , including hospitalization and death.
People living with chronic lung disease, cancer, heart disease and diabetes are at a higher risk for severe flu-related complications. For the season, top health organizations including the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association are urging individuals over six months old to get their annual flu shot. Visit heart. Pneumococcal pneumonia is an example of a serious flu-related complication that can cause hospitalization or death. Flu season is good time for people 65 and older, and people with certain chronic conditions, to check with their healthcare provider about pneumococcal and other vaccinations.
Protect pregnant individuals AND their babies — during and after pregnancy. Antivirals Antiviral drugs are also available for treatment of the flu.
If you are sick, stay away from other people as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces in your home. Some people can become ill from other respiratory viruses besides flu such as rhinoviruses, which are associated with the common cold, cause symptoms similar to flu, and also spread and cause illness during the flu season.
A flu vaccine only protects you from the flu, not other illnesses. It is possible to be exposed to flu viruses, which cause the flu, shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after vaccination that it takes the body to develop immune protection. This may result in a person becoming ill with flu before protection from the vaccine takes effect.
Some people may experience flu-like symptoms even after getting vaccinated because they were exposed to a flu virus that is very different from the viruses the vaccine is designed to protect against. There are many different flu viruses that spread and cause illness among people. People Who Have These Health Conditions are at High Risk of Serious Flu Complications Asthma Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions Blood disorders such as sickle cell disease Chronic lung disease such as COPD and cystic fibrosis Diabetes and other endocrine disorders Heart disease such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease Kidney diseases such as chronic kidney disease Liver disorders Metabolic disorders such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders Obesity BMI of 40 or higher People younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications Pregnant people and people up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy People who had a stroke People with certain disabilities , especially those who may have trouble with muscle function, lung function, or difficulty coughing, swallowing, or clearing fluids from their airways.
Weakened immune system due to diseases, such as HIV or AIDS Some cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma Weakened immune system due to certain medications, such as: Chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer Corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system In addition, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are also at high risk of serious flu complications.
About one in a million doses of any vaccine results in a serious allergic reaction, and vaccine providers should be prepared to recognize and treat such reactions Some flu vaccines, but not all, are created using eggs. Flu viruses can change from year to year. Share this content:. Click Here. The sample is then tested for influenza viruses. There are a few different types of flu tests available. Some will show results in as little as 10 minutes, while others will take few hours to deliver results.
Often, the flu resolves on its own with rest and over-the-counter treatments. However, sometimes prescription treatment is necessary, especially for people in high-risk groups. The flu is treated with antiviral medications. Antiviral medication can shorten your flu duration and prevent you from developing serious complications such as pneumonia. Just like the flu vaccine, the recommended antiviral medications for the flu may change each flu season based on the specific flu viruses that are circulating.
Flu season begins in the fall when the weather gets colder and flu cases start to spike. It generally ends in late spring. While for some people, the flu is a minor illness that can be treated at home, other people can have severe complications that lead to hospitalizations and death. The best way to protect yourself and the people around you is to get the flu shot each year before the peak of flu season.
The flu shot has been found to be safe for most people. Learn more about the ingredients in the vaccine. The flu can be life threatening. Some groups of people are at higher risk for developing complications from the flu, which makes it very important to…. The flu shot can help you reduce your risk for catching the seasonal flu, especially during COVID, but should you get one? Learn the pros and cons.
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