Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses. Antivirals can also be used to prevent flu. If you hear that there is a flu outbreak in your area, check with your doctor. He or she could prescribe an antiviral that might protect you. Prevention is key. The first choice for preventing the flu is a flu shot.
If you are sick, try to rest in bed and drink plenty of fluids, like juice and water but not alcohol. Medicine such as acetaminophen can bring down your fever, which might help with the aches and pains. It is important not to smoke if you are sick with the flu. It is a respiratory illness that can infect your lungs, as well as your nasal passages.
These same areas are also bothered by smoking. Take it easy as much as you can until you are well. Sometimes a new, different kind of flu virus appears. You may have heard about the avian or bird flu. This flu is an example of how changes in a flu virus might lead to serious illness. However, there is some good news about bird flu.
It is rare in people. In most cases, the bird flu has not passed from one person to another, and so, it might not become widespread in humans. But this could change over time.
Scientists are working on new vaccines that can help protect people from bird flu. Right now, having seasonal flu does not build your body's protection against bird flu. Food and Drug Administration toll-free druginfo fda. American Lung Association toll-free info lung. Vaccine Finder vaccine healthmap. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. On this page: How serious is the flu? How does the flu spread?
Is it the flu or a cold? Can the flu be prevented? Who should get a flu shot? When should I get my flu shot? Where can I get a flu shot? Why do you need a flu shot every year? Are there side effects? What can I do if I get the flu? What about the "bird flu? Things to remember about the flu The flu can be dangerous for older people. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.
How Flu Spreads. Minus Related Pages. Person to Person People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. When Flu Spreads People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Period of Contagiousness You may be able to pass on flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
People with flu are most contagious in the first days after their illness begins. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.
What CDC Does. Others have shown that infectious influenza virus may be persist on paper currency for several weeks. Influenza transmission can be reduced by covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and by washing hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners.
Note that CDC does not recommend the use of face masks for reducing viral spread. It is important to recognize that, in human infections, maximum levels of virus shedding may occur about a day before the peak of symptoms. Ethical considerations preclude controlled influenza virus transmission studies in humans, and therefore animal models must be used. Ferrets are susceptible to many strains of influenza virus, and develop symptoms similar to those in humans. However these animals are costly and difficult to house, precluding their use in most large scale transmission studies.
The guinea pig has recently been described as an alternative animal model for studying influenza virus transmission. These animals are susceptible to different viral strains, and the virus replicates to high titers in the respiratory tract. The guinea pig was used to show that transmission of influenza virus occurs by aerosols and through contaminated environmental surfaces.
The efficiency of aerosol transmission in the guinea pig model is regulated by temperature and humidity.
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