The flu is not a common cold. It can be a seriouse disease. Influenza (aka the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
In an average year approximately 4 million children will get the flu and miss out on sharing activities. In one year, about 38 million school days were lost due to the influenza virus. HOW FLU SPREADS Influenza viruses spread in the air from person to person in the droplets of coughs and sneezes, entering primarily through the nasal passages. Flu viruses can live up to 8 hours on countertops and any other surfaces kids come in contact with daily such as doorknobs, toys, video remote controls, and telephones. It’s a simple step to catch the flu by touching surfaces where there are flu viruses – and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. SYMPTOMS OF FLU SEASONAL FLU All types of flu can cause:
- Fever
- Coughin and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
H1N1 (SWINE) FLU Same as seasonal flu, but symptoms may be more severe.
- Fever
- Coughing and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
In addition to the above symptoms, a number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases reported:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
WHAT TYPES OF VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE? There are different FDA-approved flu vaccine options: nasal-spray flu vaccine or flu shot. No one vaccine is the right option for each member of your family. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD HAS THE FLU OR A COLD? The flu is often confused with a cold, because both cold and flu can give you a sore throat, running nose, and coughing. However, the flu can be a lot more serious. It causes body aches and high fever. The fatigue and cough of flu can last more than two weeks. In addition, flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. If you have any of the flu symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. COLD VS. FLU
| Fever: | |
| Flu – Usually 100°F-102°F +, for 3-4 days | |
| Cold – Rare | |
| Headache: | |
| Flu – Common | |
| Cold – Rare | |
| Muscle Aches: | |
| Flu – Usual, and often severe | |
| Cold – Mild | |
| Tiredness & Weakness: | |
| Flu – Can last 2 or more weeks | |
| Cold – Mild | |
| Extreme Exhaustion: | |
| Flu – Usual, at beginning of illness | |
| Cold – Never | |
| Stuffy Nose & Sneezing: | |
| Flu – Sometimes | |
| Cold – Often | |
| Sore Throat: | |
| Flu – Sometimes | |
| Cold – Often | |
| Cough: | |
| Flu – Usual, can be severe | |
| Cold – Mild, hacking cough |
HOW NOT TO SHARE: THE FLU
GET VACCINATED EVERY YEAR
It’s the best way to help prevent the flu. And you can’t catch the flu from the flu vaccine.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Got the flu? Don’t spread it – stay home.
ROUTINELY CLEAN AND DISINFECT SURFACES
After soap and water, use a bleach solution or other disinfectant to kill additional germs.
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN, WITH SOAP
The flu virus survives on hands and other surfaces for up to 8 hours. Wash those germs away.
EAT RIGHT AND GET REST
A balanced diet and proper rest help keep you healthy and able to fight off infection.
http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/symptoms/index.html http://www.goodtoshare.com/#/influenza-virus
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