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Flu

Influenza (flu) vaccination is an effective tool for preventing

Hospitalization and death among persons aged 18-64 years with medical

Conditions that increase the risk for influenza –related complications.

National health objectives for 2010 are to increase influenza vaccination for

those who have one or more high –risk conditions.

Influenza also called "the flu" is a contagious illness caused by

Influenza viruses. It is a seasonal illness in temperate zones that generally

appears during cold weather months. Influenza (flu) develops when a flu

virus infects your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial

tubes, and possibly the lungs. Although influenza viruses undergo constant

variation, the general nature of the resulting disease has remained quite

similar over the years.

Every year in the United States on average of 5% to 20% of the

population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu

complications and about 36,000 people die from flu. Influenza usually

comes on suddenly, with a rapid escalation in severity. Anyone can get the

virus (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen

at (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at

any age. Anyone exposed to the virus can become infected and can be easily

spread among people in groups, such as in nursing homes, hospitals,

shelters, schools, and day cares. Most people who get influenza will recover

in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening

complications as a result of the flu. The risk of developing severe symptoms

and complications is higher in people age 65 years and older, people of any

age with chronic medical conditions, and children younger than 4 years of

age. Complications of flu can include pneumonia, bronchitis, worsening of

chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, and...