Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Each year, as many as 45 million Americans get sick with flu and as many as 810,000 Americans are hospitalized with influenza.

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

*Not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Getting your flu shot every year protects you, protects your family, and helps make sure healthcare workers and hospitals in your community have the resources to continue to treat COVID-19 patients. It’s also possible to get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, so it’s especially important for people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious complications—and their caregivers—to get their flu shots.

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouths, noses or eyes.

Help us spread the word about the importance of the flu vaccine. Feel free to use any of these documents.

For questions on using these items, email: reach@nkfm.org