P a t i e n t E d u c a t i o n
> Seasonal influenza (the flu)
What is seasonal influenza?
Also called the flu, seasonal influenza is caused by a virus
that easily spreads from person to person by coughing and
sneezing, and through nasal secretions. Most people who get
the flu are sick for only a few days, but others need medical
care. Older adults, children under age 2, and people with
weak immune systems or chronic illnesses are more likely to
become seriously ill. A fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat,
dry cough, chills, and body aches are typical signs and symp-
toms of the flu, but not everyone with the flu has all of these.
Flu season starts as early as October and can last until May.
How is the flu treated?
Antiviral medicine can ease flu symptoms if you start tak-
ing it within 2 days of your first symptoms. A healthcare
provider must prescribe this medicine, which usually is
given to people who are most at risk for serious illness.
Some over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen, can
help reduce the discomfort from fever, headache, and chills.
Drink plenty of water and juice and eat a balanced diet. You
need more fluids than usual when you have the flu, and
proper nutrition gives your body energy to recover. Avoid
alcohol and tobacco. Vitamin C and herbal supplements
haven’t been proven to help people recover from the flu.
Should I get a flu vaccine?
Almost anyone who wants protection from the flu should
get a vaccine every year. But getting the vaccine is espe-
cially important if you’re at risk for serious illness. If you
have a serious illness and need the flu vaccine, anyone
who lives with you should also get the vaccine. Talk with
your healthcare provider to see if you and your family
should get the flu vaccine each year. Children under age
6 months shouldn’t get the flu vaccine.
The best time to get a flu vaccine is in September be-
cause it takes about 2 weeks to provide full protection.
But getting the vaccine after September also protects you,
and this protection can last for up to a year. The vaccine
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S e r i e s
isn’t 100% effective, but it can reduce the severity of
symptoms if you do get the flu.
The vaccine can be given as an injection (“flu shot”) or
as a nasal spray. Talk with your healthcare provider to find
out which is better for you. Tell your healthcare provider
if you have any allergies, including an allergy to chicken
eggs, if you developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6
weeks of getting a previous flu vaccine, or if you’ve had a
serious reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
Because flu viruses change often, the vaccine is changed
slightly every year. To protect yourself from illness, you
need to get the flu vaccine every year.
Can the flu vaccine make me sick?
You can’t get the flu from the vaccine because it’s made
from a killed or weakened virus. But you may notice
mild swelling, redness, or soreness where the flu shot
was given. A few people develop fever, a runny nose,
headaches, or muscle aches after the nasal spray vaccine.
These usually last 1 or 2 days and go away on their own.
Very rarely, the vaccine can cause an allergic reaction. If
you develop breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing,
hives, paleness, weakness, dizziness, or feeling as if your
heart is racing, call 911. Tell the paramedics that you had
a flu vaccine and when you got it.
What else can I do to prevent the flu?
Besides getting a flu vaccine, you can:
• avoid close contact with people who have respiratory
symptoms, such as coughing.
• stay home when you’re sick.
• wash your hands often.
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because this
is how a virus can get into your body.
• practice other good health habits: getting enough sleep,
staying active, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating
healthy. ■
DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000387238.05776.38
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