Q: What is influenza? What are the symptoms?

A: Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

Influenza is a virus which typically circulates in the United States annually from the late fall through the early spring. There are a number of different strains of virus that can cause influenza. They can vary each year. Influenza A and B are the two types of influenza virus which cause epidemic human disease. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and possibly vomiting or diarrhea, although this is more common in children than adults.

Q: How is the flu spread?

A: People with flu can spread it to others up to about six feet away. Most experts think flu viruses are spread by droplets through coughing, sneezing or talking. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.

To avoid this, people should stay away from sick people and stay home if sick. It also is important to wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. A person may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before they know they are sick, as well as while being sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.

Q: What can be done to prevent the flu?

A: Hand hygiene, social distancing when ill, cough etiquette and vaccination.

Q: How effective is the vaccine? Can people still get the flu?

A: The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.

Q: Who should be vaccinated? Is the vaccine safe?

A: Everyone who is at least six months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. While everyone should get a flu vaccine, it is especially important for some people to get vaccinated.

Those people include the following:

–People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

–Pregnant women.

–People younger than five years (and especially those younger than two) and people 65 years and older.

–People who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications (see list above).

–Household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

–Household contacts and caregivers of infants less than six months old.

–Health care personnel.

Q: Is there any treatment for the flu?

A: Yes. There are prescription medications called "antiviral drugs" used to treat influenza illness. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) which fight against the flu in the body. They are only available by prescription from a doctor or health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics.

Q: What kind of flu season is expected for 2013-2014?

A: There is no distinct prediction at this point but with severe cold weather there is an increase in crowds congregating and families staying indoors thus improving the possibility of more effective transmission.

Terry Burger, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, CIC is director of infection control & prevention for Lehigh Valley Health Network.