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The flu is spread primarily by droplet transmission – from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.  The virus can also live on objects such as doorknobs, telephone receivers, utensils and food trays, beds and medical equipment for possibly up to a day.  Some infected with influenza may not develop symptoms.  And those, who are infected and develop symptoms, can be contagious the day before they feel the symptoms.  The first three days of being sick is the period when you are most contagious.  The flu can last for five to seven days in healthy adults, and most will recover in one to two weeks.

 

The flu usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms:

Millions of Americans – about 5-20% of U.S. residents – will get the flu each year.  About 36,000 U.S. residents die from the flu, and more than 20,000 have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of the flu.  During the past 21 flu seasons, December, January, February, and March were the months with the heaviest flu activity. 

You should do the following if you get the flu:

Sources:  Academy of Education Development.  “Influenza Vaccination Rates for Nurses Need a Boost”. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  “Influenza: The Disease”.  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm.