Influenza (“flu”) is a very contagious disease. 

It is caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. 

Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza. But only an illness caused by the influenza virus is really influenza.

Anyone can get influenza. For most people, it lasts only a few days. It can cause: fever · sore throat · chills · fatigue· cough · headache · muscle aches

Some people get much sicker. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart or breathing conditions. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. Influenza kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, mostly among the elderly.

Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.

Influenza vaccine can be given to people 6 months of age and older. It is recommended for people who are at risk of serious influenza or its complications, and for people who can spread influenza to those at high risk (including all household members):

• People at high risk for complications from influenza:

• All children 6-23 months of age.

• People 65 years of age and older.

• Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.

• People who have long-term health problems with:

  • heart disease

  • kidney disease

  • lung disease

  • metabolic disease, such as diabetes

  • asthma

  • anemia, and other blood disorders

• People with certain conditions (such as neuromuscular disorders) that can cause breathing problems.

• People with a weakened immune system due to:

  • HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system

  • long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids

  • cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs

• People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these people could develop Reye Syndrome if they got influenza).

• Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.

People who can spread influenza to those at high risk:

• Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants from 0-23 months of age.

• Physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.

Influenza vaccine is also recommended for adults 50-64 years of age and anyone else who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.

An annual flu shot should be considered for:

• People who provide essential community services.

• People living in dormitories or under other crowded conditions, to prevent outbreaks.

• People at high risk of influenza complications who travel to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time.

The best time to get influenza vaccine is in October or November. 

Influenza season usually peaks in February, but it can peak any time from November through May. So getting the vaccine in December, or even later, can be beneficial in most years.

Some people should get their flu shot in October or earlier:

• people 50 years of age and older,

• younger people at high risk from influenza and its complications (including children 6 through 23 months of age),

• household contacts of people at high risk,

• healthcare workers, and

• children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time.

Most people need one flu shot each year. Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses, given at least one month apart.

5. Some people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine