Flu
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious disease caused by Influenza virus. The Flu infects the nose, throat, and lungs, it can cause moderate to severe illness and sometimes death. Flu can be threatening to people ages 65 and older, younger children and People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications . Protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, if you haven’t already — and by staying up to date on flu.
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
- fever*
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting in children
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19 | CDC
Keep up to date on the latest flu activity in Washington by visiting www.KnockOutFlu.org.
Prevention
- The most effective way to prevent the flu, is to get the flu vaccine every year.
- Cover your cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home from school or work when you are sick.
- Get Treatment for the flu from your healthcare provider.
Flu Vaccine Locations
Pharmacies have taken heightened precautions to help keep patients who visit the pharmacy safe and protected while they pick up their prescriptions, receive immunizations, or consult with a pharmacist:
- Pharmacy staff all wear masks, gloves, and have plexiglass dividers at the pharmacy counter.
- Wellness rooms are regularly sanitized and cleaned in between patients.
- All customers are required to wear masks in Safeway Albertsons stores.
- Social distancing signs mark waiting areas, with hand sanitizer available at all touch points.
- Flu vaccine recipients will be pre-screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
To find a flu vaccine please visit Vaccines.gov - Search for flu vaccine locations
For information on free Flu Vaccines for children please visit: the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC)
If You Get The Flu
If you get sick with flu symptoms you should stay home, rest and avoid contact with other people unless you need to seek medical care. People with flu symptoms should stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without fever reducing medicines, 3-5 days in most cases.
If you are Caring for Someone Sick | CDC follow precautions to avoid getting sick.
If you have emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room.
Emergency Warning Signs Of Flu Sickness:
In children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing.
- Bluish skin color.
- Not drinking enough fluids.
- Not waking up or not interacting.
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held.
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
- Fever with a rash.
In adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Sudden dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Severe or persistent vomiting.
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Treatment
While individuals with mild illness are not at an increased risk of flu-related complications, they may receive early treatment with Flu Antiviral Drugs from their healthcare provider. It is generally unnecessary for otherwise healthy individuals who are not at a higher risk of flu complications to undergo antiviral drug treatment.
