What is flu?
What are the symptoms of flu?
How is flu spread?
Is there a treatment for flu?
How can I prevent myself and my family from the flu?
How is this year's flu related to H1N1 flu from last year?
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by either influenza A or influenza B viruses. Flu can cause mild to severe illness and can be fatal. The flu is usually a seasonal illness that is most commonly seen in the Fall and Winter months in Wisconsin.
People who have the flu may often feel some or all of the symptoms listed below:
Flu is spread by the droplets that are produced when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in another person's nose or mouth who are within close distances and spread the flu. Flu can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has these droplets on them and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
There is no treatment for the flu. Some antiviral drugs are available that may reduce the severity of illness after a person has the flu. These antiviral drugs should be taken within 48 hours of feeling ill and require a prescription from your primary health care provider. Otherwise, bed rest, drinking lots of liquids and taking pain relievers to help reduce the discomfort of illiness is recommended. Children should NOT be treated with aspirin due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome.
The single best way to protect yourself and your family is to get an annual flu shot. For more information on flu shots, click here.
You can also protect yourself and your family by washing your hands frequently, and always using a tissue to cover your cough or sneeze.
Last year, a new and different flu, called 2009 H1N1 flu, spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. During the 2010-2011 flu season, CDC expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to cause illness again along with other influenza viruses. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses. For more information about 2009 H1N1 flu, click here.