Flu FAQs: The Basics

Concerned about the flu? We've addressed here some of the most common questions related to the virus.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of seasonal flu?
Unlike a cold the flu typically comes on suddenly. The flu is often accompanied by a fever, but not everyone will have a fever. Some will have the feeling of being feverish and may have chills. People who have the flu often report the following symptoms; cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms experienced.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu (swine flu is a human flu, a new strain identified in 2009) and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu.

The CDC provides additional guidance on symptoms and treatments on their Seasonal Influenza (Flu) website.

How does one get the flu?
Watch this excellent video/animation from NPR.org for more than you'd ever want to know about virus reproduction and infection.

When should I go to the hospital?
If you have flu symptoms--and especially if you have those symptoms and have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher--call your doctor or medical provider first for instructions. Your doctor may have you come in for an appointment and test you to determine the type influenza contracted. If you do not have a doctor, you can use our Find a Doctor resource.

If your doctor instructs you to go to the hospital, go directly to the emergency department. When you enter the emergency department, you may be asked to wear a mask, for your protection and for the protection of others. Visitors may also be asked to wear masks. It is important to remember wearing a mask does not have a negative connotation, but is a socially acceptable way to protect others, especially if they have respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, sneezing, or sniffles.

If you're sick, stay away from work or school; it's important to limit contact with other people, so you don't spread germs to others.

Vaccination

Who should get vaccinated?
While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: Health care workers
• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

For more details about the vaccine, when and who should obtain a shot, please visit the CDC website article Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.

The 2010-2011 flu vaccine has been updated to protect against the three flu viruses. The 2010-2011 vaccine provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses – influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B. Learn more about how the CDC selects the viruses to be included in vaccines in their Questions and Answers article Vaccine Selection for the 2011–2012 Influenza Season.

I want to get vaccinated. Where can I go?
Your doctor's office should be your first option, but some clinics, drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Target), CostCo and other locations are offering vaccinations.

The Rota Care Free Clinic on the El Camino Hospital campus in Mountain View, offers flu shots to the uninsured and the shot is free.  The vaccine is for all ages and is available at the clinic on a first come, first served basis. Shots are available weekly, while supplies last, on:

Tuesdays  from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - Noon

No appointment is necessary. Please call the flu shot hot line for regular updates on availability of the vaccine at 650-988-8255.  

Prevention

I've been around someone who might have had the flu. Should I call my doctor?
Only if you have symptoms of influenza (or any other illness, for that matter). In other words, call your doctor only if you would have normally.

Wash my hands--but for how long?
We tell our kids to go wash their hands…and they return from the sink ten seconds later. "All done!" Experts say it takes at least 20 seconds of scrubbing--with soap!--or about the length of time it takes to sing the A-B-C song.

Still having trouble getting kids to wash their hands? Try showing them the National Sanitation Foundation's Scrub Club website, which has games that are fun for kids (10 years old or younger, most likely) to play and that will teach them the importance of hand-washing and other hygiene maintenance.

What else can I do to prevent contracting the flu?
Use a hand sanitizer when you can't get to a sink to wash your hands; sanitizing gels or liquids with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent are effective against the flu. It's a good idea to keep your distance from anyone who's coughing or sneezing more than usual--but that's a good idea at any time. And as always, cough or sneeze into a tissue (and then wash your hands), or into the fold of your elbow, without using your hands.