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What is a flu virus?
The flu virus causes a contagious respiratory illness. It can be a mild to severe illness, and can even cause death.
How is the flu virus spread?
The flu is spread by respiratory droplets produced by a cough, sneezing, or talking. We come infected from:
- The droplets in the air we breathe
- Direct contact with infected materials
- By vectors such as bugs or animals
- Contact with a contaminated surface
How long can a virus live?
Viruses have different survival needs, and some can live up to 30 days at room temperature.
How long is someone contagious?
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.
How else is the flu spread?
People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it, and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
6 Steps to Fight the Flu
- Get immunized!
- Eat healthy and get your rest.
Poor nutrition, dehydration and lack of sleep decrease your resistance to the flu.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces
Use a disinfecting spray like Lysol on common surfaces: doors, faucets, telephones, fridge, or other shared equipment.
- Keep your distance
Stay at least three feet from others, and avoid crowds.
- Be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and - - throw the tissue away.
- Best defense: Wash your hands
Wash your hands often. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Hand Washing!
Effective hand washing will remove most germs from your hands.
- Wet your hands
- Lather well with soap
- Rinse and dry thoroughly
- Use the towel to shut off the faucet!
Wash Your Hands
- Before & after food preparation
- Before eating
- After using the restroom or changing diapers
- After coughing, sneezing, cleaning, or handling trash
- After handling money or your pets
- After caring or someone sick
- When your hands are dirty
Flu Symptoms
| Fever over 100 | Dry cough | Nausea |
| Headache | Sneezing | Vomiting |
| Extreme fatigue | Sore throat | Diarrhea |
| Muscle aches | Runny nose | |
Treatment
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
- Treat your symptoms:
- Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for fever, muscle, and body aches
- Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu like symptoms, particularly fever.
- Contact your physician: You may be a candidate for cough suppressants and antiviral medication.
Antiviral's
To prevent the flu, antiviral drugs must be taken before infection occurs.
Antiviral's may also be used to reduce the impact of the flu for someone who is already infected.
Antiviral drugs can be taken if you have been exposed to the flu, but they must be taken within two days after flu symptoms start. It is important to know that antiviral drugs can have some potentially serious side effects.
Who has the highest risk of getting the flu?
The elderly, children, those with chronic illness or a depressed immune system have the highest risk for getting the flu.
Get Your Family Involved
Everyone is susceptible, but children, seniors, and those who are chronically ill are most at risk. Teach your children:
- Proper hand washing
- To cover their mouth when they sneeze or cough.
- Keep up a healthy lifestyle
Care provided by UTHS, a center of excellence within the UT School of Nursing
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