Influenza (or flu) is a highly contagious viral respiratory tract infection. It usually starts quickly, with fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and a dry cough.
"People of all ages can get the flu," said Elizabeth Fagan, M.D., medical director of the emergency department at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. Although most people are ill with the flu for only a few days, some have a much more serious illness and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza can also lead to pneumonia and even death in some cases.
"Last year, Baylor McKinney treated 423 cases," said Dr. Fagan. Influenza viruses continually change, or mutate, which is why physicians recommend getting a flu vaccine each year. The mutation process works like this:
- A person infected with an influenza virus develops antibodies against that virus.
- The virus changes.
- The "older" antibodies no longer recognize the "newer," mutated, virus.
- The person can become infected again.
More than 100 countries worldwide conduct surveillance year-round and send their results to the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Influenza. The vaccine is updated every year based on which flu strains are making patients sick, how those viruses are spreading and how well the previous vaccine protected patients from getting sick.
How does the flu spread?
The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. But the virus can also live for a short time on objects like doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, telephone receivers, and eating or drinking utensils. You can get the flu by touching something that has been handled by someone infected with the virus and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The following are the most common symptoms of the flu:
- Fever
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Severe aches and pains
- Fatigue or feeling very tired
- Sometimes a sore throat
How can the flu be prevented?
A new influenza vaccine is available each year.. There are both trivalent (protects against 3 strains) and quadravalent (protects against 4 strains) vaccines available this year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that infants over the age of 6 months and all children and adults get flu shots every year as soon as the vaccine is available in their area.
Some people are at increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu. It is extremely important that these people get the vaccine: They include those with:
- Chronic heart and lung conditions
- Other serious medical conditions such as:
- Endocrine disorders, like diabetes
- Kidney or liver disorders
- Weak immune system from disease or treatment; for example those with HIV or AIDS or taking long-term steroids or medications to treat cancer or prevent rejection from a transplant
- Blood disorders such as sickle cell disease
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2015 Baylor Scott & White Health.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Hall
susanh@baylorhealth.edu
214-820-1817
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
