INFLUENZA
INFLUENZA
Overview
Influenza (flu) is an infectious and contagious viral illness characterized by sudden onset of symptoms of fever, myalgia, sore throat, cough, and headache.1 People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away through coughing, sneezing or talking.2 Routine annual vaccination is recommended by the CDC and provides important protection. During the severe 2017-18 influenza season in the US, vaccination is estimated to have prevented 6.2 million illnesses, 91,000 hospitalizations, and 5,700 deaths.3,4
Read More
SYMPTOMS1
- Abrupt onset of:
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- Muscle Pain
- Sore Throat
- Headache
- Cough
- Runny Nose
Facts About Influenza
Influenza illness can vary from asymptomatic infection to severe. The most frequent complications of influenza include secondary bacterial pneumonia and exacerbations of underlying upper and lower respiratory conditions. People 65 years of age and older, young children, pregnant women, and anyone with underlying medical conditions have a higher risk of complications and hospitalizations.1
INFLUENZA USUALLY PEAKS IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY OF EACH YEAR IN THE US AND NORTHERN HEMISPHERE1
SINCE 2010, AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 445,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS PER YEAR HAVE BEEN RELATED TO INFLUENZA, WITH 38% OCCURING IN PERSONS YOUNGER THAN 65 YEARS OF AGE1
PERSONS AGED 65 YEARS AND OLDER ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 80% OF DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO INFLUENZA1
Educational Resources
View our wide range of downloadable and printable tools and resources to be proactive in your vaccination efforts.
Patient Resources
Influenza Pharmacy Kit
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Many patients may not know that there are vaccines recommended for them to help protect against certain diseases. You can help educate patients about these vaccine-preventable diseases, and explain why it’s important for them to be up to date on their vaccinations.
References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hall E, Wodi AP, Hamborsky J, et al, eds. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th ed. Public Health Foundation; 2021. Accessed February 1, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (flu): how flu spreads. Reviewed August 27, 2018. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm 3. Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—United States, 2021-22 influenza season. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(RR-5):1-28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1. 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2017-2018 Estimated flu illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths and estimated flu-related illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths averted by vaccination in the United States. Accessed February 2, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden-averted/2017-2018.htm 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2021. Updated February 11, 2021. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2022. Reviewed February 17, 2022. Accessed February 18, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
