What is influenza (the flu)?
The flu — short for influenza — is an illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu spreads from person to person through the air by coughing, sneezing or just breathing. Symptoms usually appear...
View ArticleIs the “stomach flu” really the flu?
Many people use the term “stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, but this isn’t caused by the influenza virus. These symptoms are caused by many different viruses,...
View ArticleHow dangerous is the flu?
The flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza; thousands of children are hospitalized and some children die from flu....
View ArticleWho should get a flu vaccine?
Everyone is at risk for seasonal influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine. While flu can make anyone sick, certain...
View ArticleHow do I protect my child from the flu?
The best way to protect against the flu is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. Every flu...
View ArticleWhen will flu activity begin and when will it peak?
The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Seasonal flu viruses are present year-round, but flu activity usually begins as early...
View ArticleWill the flu vaccine give me or my child the flu?
A flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The flu vaccine does not have a live virus in it, so it is impossible to get the flu from the vaccine. The most common side effects from the flu shot are soreness,...
View ArticleIs it better to get the flu vaccine or the flu?
Influenza leads to hospitalizations and deaths every year. However, the flu vaccine only causes mild side effects that usually are better within a day or two. The risk of developing severe flu related...
View ArticleWhat about people who get a seasonal flu vaccine and still get sick with flu...
Making sure you and your family are vaccinated each year is the safest way to protect them against the flu. But sometimes, people might get flu symptoms even though they have been vaccinated against...
View ArticleWhat’s in the flu vaccine?
Vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection. This doesn’t cause illness, but it does cause the immune system to produce antibodies that help protect you from the disease in the future....
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What are the benefits of flu vaccination?
Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. For example, during 2016-2017, flu vaccination prevented...
View ArticleIf vaccines undergo years of studies, how is it that a new annual or pandemic...
Because influenza viruses are constantly evolving, and the viruses that circulate among people often change from one year to another, flu vaccines change annually. Scientists around the world collect...
View ArticleWhy do I need to get a new flu shot every year?
A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons: The immune protection from vaccines declines over time, so an annual vaccine helps give you and your family the best protection. There are many...
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