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What is Influenza?
Influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is a serious, acute respiratory disease that is caused by a virus. People who get influenza have a cough, fever, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Illness due to influenza usually lasts from 3 to 5 days, but can last longer. The cough and fatigue can persist for several weeks, making the return to full personal and work activities difficult.
People of any age can get influenza. Most people who get influenza are ill for only a few days. However, some persons can get much sicker, and need to go to the emergency room or to the doctor’s office.
Influenza can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death in some people, particularly the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung problems.
Influenza spreads easily from infected persons to the nose and throat of others through coughing and sneezing. It is also spread through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, unwashed hands, or objects such as toys and eating utensils, which have been contaminated by the influenza virus.
Why should healthy people get influenza immunization?
Healthy people should get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from influenza, to avoid missing quality time (including holidays) with their families, to avoid losing time from work and to avoid spreading the virus to others.
Influenza is much worse than a cold. Even healthy people can become quite ill. You might bring the influenza virus home to a baby, older relative, or someone with a medical condition who can get serious complications from influenza.
How does immunization protect against the flu?
Vaccine effectiveness varies from one person to another. Protection form the vaccine develops about one to two weeks after the shot, and may last up to one year.
Why do people need to get flu shots every year?
The viruses that cause influenza change often. Because of this, influenza vaccine is updated each year. Because of the flu virus changes from year to year, immunity to last year’s flu viruses may not protect you against the viruses that are expected to cause influenza this year. Also, immunity from a flu shot usually lasts less than one year. That’s why you need a flu shot every year.
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