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Flu & Pneumonia Symptoms
All types of flu have similar symptoms. Although the flu and common cold have similar symptoms, the flu tends to be more severe. Flu symptoms include a fever, body aches, tiredness, and cough. Your health care provider can give you a test to determine whether or not you have the flu.
Is it the Flu or Pneumonia? How to Recognize the Symptoms
In bacterial pneumonia, symptoms typically begin abruptly. They may include a cough that produces yellow phlegm, high fever, chills, sharp chest pain brought on by breathing or coughing, and shortness of breath. Young people usually have increased breathing and heart rates and appear acutely ill. Older adults, however, typically have fewer symptoms, experiencing lethargy and confusion but often no fever and, sometimes, no lung-related symptoms.
Protecting yourself from pneumonia. The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia, which is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal pneumonia can spread from person to person (by coughing, for example), especially when people live in close quarters. While most types of bacterial pneumonia cannot be prevented, two available vaccines offer some protection against several strains of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of viral pneumonia.
Protecting yourself from pneumonia. The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia, which is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal pneumonia can spread from person to person (by coughing, for example), especially when people live in close quarters. While most types of bacterial pneumonia cannot be prevented, two available vaccines offer some protection against several strains of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of viral pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms include:
- A 100 degrees F or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
- A cough and/or sore throat
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
Make sure you get a shot this year
According to the CDC less than 1/2 of Americans get a flu shot.
The CDC suggests that senior citizens get a second type of vaccine against pneumoccoccus, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia and hospitalizes 50,000 Americans each year. Those 65 and older can get a one-time vaccination with the combination pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13. Seniors should also get a second one-time vaccination with another polysaccharid vaccine that protects against 23 strains of pneumococcus.
The shots should be taken 6 months apart.
The CDC suggests that senior citizens get a second type of vaccine against pneumoccoccus, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia and hospitalizes 50,000 Americans each year. Those 65 and older can get a one-time vaccination with the combination pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13. Seniors should also get a second one-time vaccination with another polysaccharid vaccine that protects against 23 strains of pneumococcus.
The shots should be taken 6 months apart.
What should I do to protect myself from flu this season?
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, if possible by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.
What should I do if I get sick with the flu?
Antiviral drugs are prescription drugs that can be used to treat flu illness. People at high risk of serious flu complications (such as children younger than 2 years, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions) and people who are very sick with flu (such as those hospitalized because of flu) should get antiviral drugs. Some other people can be treated with antivirals at their health care professional’s discretion. Treating high risk people or people who are very sick with flu with antiviral drugs is very important. Studies show that prompt treatment with antiviral drugs can prevent serious flu complications. Prompt treatment can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
Treatment with antivirals works best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick, but can still be beneficial when given later in the course of illness. Antiviral drugs are effective across all age-and risk groups. Studies show that antiviral drugs are under-prescribed for people who are at high risk of complications who get the flu. The FDA has approved three influenza antiviral drugs for use in the United States: oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir.
Treatment with antivirals works best when begun within 48 hours of getting sick, but can still be beneficial when given later in the course of illness. Antiviral drugs are effective across all age-and risk groups. Studies show that antiviral drugs are under-prescribed for people who are at high risk of complications who get the flu. The FDA has approved three influenza antiviral drugs for use in the United States: oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir.
What is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that is recommended by the US Center for Disease Control and the only drug approved by the FDA for flu treatment. To be effective it should be taken at the first appearance of flu symptoms. Contact your physician if symptoms occur and children, older Americans and those in poor health should be particularly concerned. Side effects of taking Tamiflu can be nausea and vomiting.
What should I do to protect my loved ones from flu?
Encourage your loved ones to get vaccinated. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, and their close contacts. Also, if you have a loved one who is at high risk of flu complications and who develops flu symptoms, encourage him or her to get a medical evaluation. He or she might need treatment with influenza antiviral drugs. CDC recommends that people who are at high risk for serious flu complications who get the flu be treated with influenza antiviral drugs as quickly as possible. People who are not at high risk for serious flu complications who get the flu may be treated with influenza antiviral drugs at their doctor’s discretion.
Children between 6 months and 8 years of age may need two doses of flu vaccine to be fully protected from flu. The two doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart. Your child’s doctor or other health care professional can tell you whether your child needs two doses. If your child does need two doses of vaccine to be fully protected, it is a good idea to begin the vaccination process sooner rather than later.
Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important. If you live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months of age, you should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu. In addition to getting vaccinated, you and your loved ones can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.
Children between 6 months and 8 years of age may need two doses of flu vaccine to be fully protected from flu. The two doses should be given at least 4 weeks apart. Your child’s doctor or other health care professional can tell you whether your child needs two doses. If your child does need two doses of vaccine to be fully protected, it is a good idea to begin the vaccination process sooner rather than later.
Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important. If you live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months of age, you should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu. In addition to getting vaccinated, you and your loved ones can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.
Influenza is dangerous for children
Influenza (“the flu”) is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, many children get sick with seasonal influenza; some of those illnesses result in death.
Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
Children with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
Flu seasons vary in severity, however some children die from flu each year. Last influenza season, more than 140 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported.
Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
Children with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
Flu seasons vary in severity, however some children die from flu each year. Last influenza season, more than 140 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported.
When should I get vaccinated?
CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against flu soon after vaccine becomes available. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Doctors and nurses are encouraged to begin vaccinating their patients soon after vaccine becomes available. Those children aged 6 months through 8 years who need two doses of vaccine should receive the first dose as soon as possible to allow time to get the second dose before the start of flu season. The two doses should be given at least four weeks apart.
Doctors and nurses are encouraged to begin vaccinating their patients soon after vaccine becomes available. Those children aged 6 months through 8 years who need two doses of vaccine should receive the first dose as soon as possible to allow time to get the second dose before the start of flu season. The two doses should be given at least four weeks apart.
What kind of vaccines are available in the United States for 2015-2016?
A number of different private sector vaccine manufacturers produce flu vaccine for use in the United States. This season both trivalent (three component) and quadrivalent (four component) influenza vaccines will be available. Different routes of administration are available for flu vaccines, including intramuscular, intradermal, jet injector and nasal spray vaccine.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. If you have symptoms please see your physician.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. If you have symptoms please see your physician.