Facts about influenza (the flu)

Did you know that seasonal influenza is a serious illness?  Each year more than 4,000 Canadians, including around 100 to 150 New Brunswickers,  die from influenza or its complications.  Your best protection?  Get vaccinated against it before the influenza season starts.  In 2009 we are urging New Brunswickers to get their seasonal flu shot in October, before the pandemic H1N1 vaccine is provided in November.

What is Influenza?

It is a common infection of the airways and lungs that spreads rapidly among humans. This disease begins in your nose and throat. It is caused by a virus and is contagious. Influenza becomes infectious one day before symptoms appear, and remains so for many days.

Influenza occurs most often during the winter when influenza viruses are circulating.  You have a greater risk of catching the flu when you are:

• stressed;
• tired;
• weak; or
• when your diet is lacking good nutrition.

 Typically, seasonal flu starts with:

•  headache;
• chills; and
• cough.

This is followed rapidly by:

• fever;
• loss of appetite;
• muscle aches;
• fatigue;
• runny nose and sneezing;
• watery eyes; and
• throat irritation.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children.  Adults 65 and older, and children younger  than 5, may not get a fever.
Most people will recover from influenza within a week to 10 days.  However, flu can weaken the body’s ability to fight off other serious infections.  Possible complications of influenza include bronchitis, pneumonia, and throat or ear infections.  Seniors over 65 – as well as adults and children with chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer – are at greater risk.  Young children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to complications.  Elderly people are more likely to die from influenza complications, but very young children have the highest rate of hospitalization.

How does influenza spread?

It spreads rapidly from human to human.  You catch it by:

• breathing droplets that have been sneezed or coughed into the air by someone with the flu;
• having the droplets land on the surface of your eye;
• shaking hands with an infected person; or
• touching  contaminated surfaces, then touching your own eyes, nose or mouth.

Common cold, seasonal influenza or H1N1?

Seasonal influenza is often confused with the common cold. Both ailments are viral infections that have similar symptoms.  However, with colds, nasal discharges and congestion are predominant, and  symptoms are less severe.  If you have a fever and cough, joint or muscle aches, sore throat and/or fatigue, it’s probably influenza.
Symptoms of both seasonal  and H1N1 influenza are fever, cough and one or more of the following;:sore throat, joint or muscle aches,  and/or  fatigue.  The only way to tell the difference is by a laboratory test.  But you don't need to rush to the doctor as soon as you have  flu symptoms, unless you are at high risk of influenza complications.  The best approach:  just self-isolate or keep the ill person at home.   If you have only mild symptoms, stay home, rest,  drink plenty of fluids , and eat nourishing foods, and the symptoms will eventually subside.  Taking Advil or Tylenol as recommended can help relieve fever and muscle aches and pain. If you have concerns, or your symptoms are becoming worse, contact your doctor.

The H1N1 virus is a new strain of pandemic influenza.  People have no natural immunity to protect against this virus. Some people born before 1957 may have some immunity due to  a similar influenza virus  that circulated at that time. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus appears to affect more young and healthy people than the regular seasonal influenza, which normally affects seniors and young children. People with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women are also at a greater risk of severe illness.

Pandemic vs. epidemic

• An epidemic – or seasonal outbreak – is specific to one city, region or country.
• A pandemic covers a much wider geographical area, often worldwide. It also infects many more people.
• An epidemic is when the number of people who become infected rises well beyond what is expected within a country or a part of a country.
• When the infection takes place in several countries at the same time it becomes a pandemic.
• A pandemic is usually caused by a new virus strain that humans either have no immunity against, or very little immunity.
• An epidemic is usually caused by subtypes of a virus that is already circulating.