Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause symptoms including fever, cough, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Flu season occurs every year and the virus can spread quickly in schools and workplaces.
Some people with the flu will recover without complications in about one to two weeks. But the flu can be dangerous for young children and people 65 and older. Some complications associated with the flu can also be life-threatening.
It is important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. This way you will know how to protect yourself better.
While many people get the flu at least once in their lives, there are still many things you don't know about this common illness. Here are some facts about the flu you should know .
What you need to know about seasonal flu
When you think of the flu virus, you might think it only strikes in the winter. While it's true that flu season can peak in the winter, you can also get the flu in the fall and spring.
Some people get seasonal flu as early as October, with cases lasting until May.
The flu spreads so quickly in part because you can spread the virus before you get sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can infect others with the virus a day before your symptoms start.
You are most contagious during the first three to four days after becoming sick, although you may still be contagious for five to seven days after becoming sick.
It is important to avoid close contact with other people to avoid infecting others.
Flu symptoms can come on quickly. You may feel fine one day, and not be able to do anything a day or two later as the flu virus becomes active.
Sometimes, symptoms start as early as one day after exposure. In other cases, some people don't show symptoms until four days after exposure to the virus.
Getting a seasonal flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the flu virus.
But it's important to get vaccinated early in the season. The flu vaccine works because it helps your body develop antibodies to protect itself from the virus. However, it takes about two weeks for these antibodies to develop.
If you are exposed to the virus within two weeks of getting vaccinated, you can still get sick. The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine before the end of October.
The flu viruses that are prevalent this season will be different from the viruses that are prevalent next year. This is because the viruses change every year. Therefore, you will need a new vaccine each year to protect yourself.
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