Frequently Asked Questions

The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

• Fever (usually high; over or at 101°F)
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Muscle aches/body aches
• Weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur but are more common in children than adults.

Influenza causes mild to severe illness and can be fatal.

The flu spreads easily from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. Children and immune-compromised people may pass the virus for longer than ten days. That means that a person may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before they feel ill, as well as during their illness. Some people can be infected with flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, they can still spread influenza to others when they sneeze or cough.

The flu is unpredictable and can be severe, especially for older people, young kids, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. These groups are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu, including:

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Dehydration
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions (asthma, congestive heart failure, or diabetes).

It is recommended that all people six months of age or older get a flu vaccine. Everyone, every year!

• Because they are at high risk of serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high-risk persons, it is especially important for the following people to get an annual flu vaccine:
• Children 6 months through 6 years of age.
• Pregnant women
• Adults 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with chronic medical conditions
• People who live in long-term care facilities
• People with certain medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, chronic lung disease, blood, kidney, liver or neurologic disorders, weakened immune systems, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes),
• People who are more than 100 lbs. overweight
• American Indians/Alaska Natives
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Healthcare workers
  • Household contacts and caregivers of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months and persons over 50 years of age.

View a list of all the health and age factors that are known to increase a person's risk of getting serious flu complications.

Note: Please contact your doctor for more questions.