Influenza
Did you know influenza is NOT the "stomach flu"?
Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease, not a stomach or intestinal disease.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Main symptoms are fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches.
How is flu spread?
Flu viruses are primarily spread mainly from personal to person in close contact (3 feet or less) through coughing or sneezing by people with the flu. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something -- such as a surface or object -- with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Prevention and Response
The single best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated each year. In addition, good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses. Below are three basic steps that are excellent prevention measures everyone can follow.
See Take Preventative Actions. Prevent Flu!
Stay Home When You are Sick! until
at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, or after symptoms have improved (at least 4-5 days after symptoms started).