Transmission (Spread) of Influenza
Influenza viruses are spread when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing viruses into the air and other people inhale the viruses. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing disease. The viruses can also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it (for example, a door handle) and then touches his or her nose or mouth.
A person who has the flu can spread viruses - that means they are contagious. Adults may be contagious from 1 day before feeling sick to up to 7 days after getting sick. Children can be contagious for longer than 7 days.
Image Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Preventing Influenza
1. Take time to get flu vaccine. The single best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated every year.
2. Take everyday preventative actions. These steps can help prevent influenza and other illnesses:
3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir) can be used to prevent influenza. All of these medications are prescription drugs, and a doctor must be consulted before using them.
More Information
-
Smoking and Influenza
- Some studies show that smokers are more likely to get the flu, and there is a higher mortality rate from the flu among smokers than among nonsmokers.
-
Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old - Because infants cannot get vaccine or antiviral drugs but are at higher risk for serious flu complications, protecting them from flu is especially important.
-
Cover your Cough - Flyers available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese, Hmong, and Khmer
|