Description of Disease Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by several different influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and diabetes), are at high risk for serious flu complications.
The flu can present with the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms tend to be much more severe than the common cold with higher fevers and more rapid onset.
Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next and from one person to the next. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Most deaths occur in the elderly, but last year there were 149 pediatric deaths caused by the flu, with an average age of 8 years. Half of the children who died from the flu had chronic underlying health conditions, but the other half were normal healthy children.
Effectiveness of Vaccine
The flu vaccine will protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one or two influenza B viruses, depending on which flu vaccine you receive. The CDC estimates that the flu vaccine last year prevented approximately 6.6 million influenza cases that would have required medical attention and 79,000 hospitalizations. Last year fewer than 50 percent of people over the age of 6 months were vaccinated, so even more illness could have been prevented.
There are several types of flu vaccines available this year including tri-valent (which protects against 3 strains of flu) injectable vaccine, quadrivalent (4 strains) injectable vaccine, and the quadrivalent inhaled (nasal) flu vaccine. All are equally effective, although the quadrivalent vaccines have broader protection.
Risks of Vaccine
As with any vaccine there are risks and side effects associated with the vaccine. Millions of seasonal flu vaccines have been given safely. CDC expects that any serious side effects following vaccination with the 2013-2014 flu vaccine would be very rare.
The flu shot:
The viruses in the flu shots are killed (inactivated) so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Mild problems that may be experienced include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days.
The nasal spray (also called LAIV): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause the severe symptoms that are often associated with influenza illness. In children, side effects from LAIV can include: runny nose, wheezing, headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever.
Serious adverse affects can rarely occur including allergic reactions. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, swelling around the eyes or lips, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness. In addition, after the vaccination you should look for any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes.
Recommendation
Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. While everyone should get a flu vaccine this season, it's especially important for some people to get vaccinated, including:
- People who are at high risk of developing serious complications (like pneumonia) if they get sick with the flu.
- People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
- Pregnant women.
- People younger than 5 years (and especially those younger than 2), and people 65 years and older.
- People who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications (see list above).
- Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
- Household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old.
- Health care personnel.
If your child has not yet been vaccinated please call us right away, we still have flu vaccine available. If adults in the family have not yet been vaccinated, please contact your physician or visit a drug store or urgent care clinic to get a flu shot.
