Influenza - "Flu"

Division of Epidemiology
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY  40621
502-564-3418 or 3261 

According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year from complications of influenza and more than 36,000 die annually.  Signs and symptoms of influenza (flu) are: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).  Complications of the flu include: bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions (such as: Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes and Asthma).

The flu virus is spread mainly from person to person through coughing and sneezing of people who are ill.  You may develop influenza by touching objects that have been contaminated with the flu virus.  “Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick” based on facts provided by the CDC. While it is a serious viral disease, it is also a preventable one.  The best method of prevention is to receive your influenza vaccination every year.

Influenza (flu) vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce and distribute as many as 132 million doses of influenza vaccines in the United States for the 2007-2008 influenza season, more than ever before.  Manufacturers began to ship this season's influenza vaccine in August with the majority of vaccine expected to be shipped by the end of October.  Some vaccine distribution (including doses that are ordered during fall months) will continue into November, possibly longer.  There are many people who can benefit from the protection an influenza vaccine can provide, including: health care workers, children between 6 months and up to five years of age, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, and people 50 years old and older. The goal of those who provide influenza vaccine is to use every available dose so that we protect as many people as possible.   As the flu season approaches, The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) urges residents to practice good health and hygiene habits (such as covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze and washing hands often) to prevent the spread of flu at home, work and school.  Influenza is spread by respiratory droplets of an infected person coming into contact with those uninfected. Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desktops.  The Kentucky Department of Public Health urges all residents to take basic precautions to avoid the spread of germs and viruses.  In addition to covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, other good health habits that can help prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses are:
 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or   by using alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs are often spread when a person touches an object that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• Get an annual flu shot to help the human body develop antibodies to protect against influenza infection.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from contracting your illness.
• Stay home from work, school, and errands if possible when you are sick. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Remind children to also practice healthy habits because germs spread easily at school and in child care settings, resulting in high rates of absenteeism among students and staff in our state’s schools.
  

Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) in many languages are available at www.immunize.org/vis  or at the CDC Website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm

Influenza, more commonly referred to as the "flu," is a serious, infectious, viral respiratory disease, which claims the lives of approximately 36,000 people a year. The following information is included in this section:

• What is Influenza?
• How is Influenza spread?
• Who is at risk?
• What are the symptoms of Influenza?
• How is Influenza diagnosed?
• What is the treatment of Influenza?
• How can Influenza be prevented?
• What is Pandemic Influenza?
• What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)?

Click here to view the Kentucky Department for Public Health's Preparedness Web site information on pandemic influenza.

Click here to view the official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

Click here to view the CDC's additional key facts on bird flu.

Pneumococcal disease are infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia. The most common types of infections caused by these bacteria include middle ear infections, pneumonia, blood stream infections, sinus infections and meningitis.

Although anyone can contract pneumococcal disease, some groups are at higher risk than others for the disease or its complications, including persons age 65 years and older, those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems and residents of chronic or long-term care facilities.

Click here to learn more about pneumococcal disease.

Click here to learn more about pneumococcal illness from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

MMWR Update- July 13, 2007, Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5606.pdf 

Pneumococcal Disease and Vaccine Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza (Flu) Materials