Fight the Flu!

December 3-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s the time! An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect against flu.

This year, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) takes place December 3-9, 2017. NIVW highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

Vaccination is the Best Way to Prevent Flu!

As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can still provide protection against flu. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February in the United States, although activity can last as late as May. Flu activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks; the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against flu when activity picks up in your community. View CDC’s influenza summary map for a weekly update on flu activity in the United States.

Who Needs a Flu Vaccine?

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses. This season, CDC recommends the use of injectable flu vaccines (flu shots) only. Again this season, nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended. Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu.

Are You at High Risk?

One of the goals of NIVW is to communicate the importance of flu vaccination for people who are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization or even death. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either influenza virus infection alone or from co-infection with the flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure.
Flu virus infection can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu. Flu vaccination and the appropriate use of flu antiviral medicines are very important for people who are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.

People at high risk include:
Pregnant women Children younger than 5 years old, but especially children younger than 2 years old People 65 years of age and older People of any age who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease For a full list of people who are at high risk, visit People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications. In addition, flu vaccination is especially important for: People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including Health care personnel Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated for flu)

Take Everyday Preventive Actions

In addition to getting your flu vaccine this season, CDC also urges you to take everyday preventive actions to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu. Everyday preventive actions include the following:
Avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. 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 water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu. Additionally, if you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, inhaled powder, or injectable medicine) and are not available over-the-counter.
Antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. CDC recommends that antiviral drugs be used early to treat hospitalized patients with flu, people with severe flu illness, and people who are at high risk of serious flu complications based on their age or health. Treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness instead of a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Visit What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs to learn more.

Be a Flu Fighter!

Each year, people around the world work to study, track, and prevent flu. This year, CDC is recognizing these Flu Fighters and the work they are doing to prevent flu in the U.S. and around the world. Check out some of CDC’s own Flu Fighters, here. Do your part and be a flu fighter this year by getting a flu shot today!
As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, flu vaccination can provide protection against flu. Once vaccinated, you can enjoy this holiday season knowing that you have taken the single best available step to protect yourself and your loved ones against flu.
For more information on what you should know about the current season, visit Frequently Asked Flu Questions 2017-2018 Influenza Season.

content from the CDC ​
​https://www.cdc.gov/features/fighttheflu/index.html