Know How the Flu Spreads
The flu usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.
Protection against the Flu
The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available in the United States:
The "flu shot" —an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine —a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. Though it varies, flu season can last as late as May.
Habits for Good Health
These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze—throw the tissue away after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this way you will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
Antiviral Medications
Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir) are approved for use in preventing the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before they are used. Please note the publication “Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in which ACIP recommends that neither amantadine nor rimantadine be used for the treatment or prevention of influenza A in the United States for the 2006-07 influenza season.
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