How can I protect myself from the flu?

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. There are 2 types of vaccines. The flue shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

For more information, visit the following page: Protecting Yourself from the Flu

Influenza is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir and oseltamivir) have been approved for treatment of the flu. These medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within the first 2 days of illness.

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

A person can spread the flu starting 1 day before he or she feels sick. Adults can continue to pass the flu virus to others for another 3 to 7 days after symptoms start. Children can pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.

Each flu season is unique, but it is estimated that approximately 10% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and an average of 114,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.

Influenza and a cold are both respiratory (breathing) system infections caused by viruses. Initial symptoms of flu and colds are similar, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have the flu or a very bad cold. The flu can cause more serious illness than a common cold. Colds and flu are both highly contagious and, in the initial stages, a bad cold and a mild case of the flu might seem alike. However, flu is a serious illness that can have life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. It is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms alone. Doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu within 2-3 days of the start of illness. Check the table on the following page for a comparison of the symptoms for each illness: Influenza & Cold Symptoms

Three antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before they are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within the first 2 days of illness.

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

Apart from vaccination, good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Certain people are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu. This group includes people age 65 years and older and people of any age with chronic medical conditions. Pregnant women and children between 6 months and 23 months of age also are at increased risk from flu complications. By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. You can also decrease your chances of getting sick by frequently washing your hands and avoiding touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, and avoiding crowded places. Three antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) are approved and commercially available for use in preventing flu. All of these medications are prescription drugs, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used for preventing the flu.

Year-round, you can help stop the spread of germs by practicing “respiratory etiquette” — good health manners — by covering your nose and mouth every time you sneeze, cough or blow your nose, putting used tissues in the trash, and washing your hands well and often whenever you or someone you are close to is sick. Clinics and hospitals may also give you a face mask to wear in waiting areas and exam rooms if you have a fever and cough or rash, so be prepared! There are also ways you can keep from catching someone else’s germs. These include not sharing things like cigarettes, towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs. You also should not share food, utensils or beverage containers with others.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Every year in the United States, on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Many people use the term "stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or “sick to your stomach” can sometimes be related to the flu — particularly in children — these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

Stay home! Rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco, and take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever – without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. If, however, flu symptoms are unusually severe (for example, trouble breathing), you should consult your health-care provider right away. If you are at special risk from complications of flu, you should consult your health-care provider when your flu symptoms begin. This includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, or children. Your doctor may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.

It is not possible to accurately predict in advance what type of flu season we are going to have. Historically, A (H3N2) viruses have been associated with more-severe flu seasons during which higher numbers of influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

We will be posting information, as it becomes available, on this website. You may also call the Cape May County flu hotline at 609-463-6581. Additionally, the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services has a flu hotline, at 1-866-234-0964. For more resources, visit this page: Flu Vaccination Information

Information on Cape May County’s free flu vaccination programs is posted on the County’s Department of Health website. You may also call the Cape May County flu hotline at 463-6581. Additionally, the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services has a flu hotline, at 1-866-234-0964. For additional vaccination program information, visit this page: Vaccination Programs

To find out who should receive flu vaccinations, visit the following page: Who Should Get Vaccinated?

To learn who should not get a flu vaccination, visit the following page: Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?