Home Data Investigation Reporting Resources
Frequently Asked
Questions - Influenza and Influenza-Associated Pediatric
Mortality
Q. What is influenza?
A. Influenza (“the flu”) is a respiratory
illness caused by the influenza virus. Seasonal influenza illness is typically
caused by influenza A virus subtypes H1N1 or H3N2, or by influenza B or C
viruses. Influenza A and B viruses cause yearly epidemics—typically in the
winter months—in the Northern Hemisphere. Most people with influenza illness
recover on their own in about 5-7 days; however, some individuals develop
serious complications or die from influenza.
Q. What is
influenza-associated pediatric mortality?
A. An influenza-associated pediatric death is a
death in a child under 18 years of age resulting from a clinically compatible
illness that is confirmed to be influenza by an appropriate laboratory or rapid
diagnostic test. Influenza-associated pediatric mortality is reportable by law
to the health department. Influenza deaths in other age groups are not
reportable in Texas.
Q. Is influenza
contagious?
A. Yes, influenza is very
contagious. Most healthy adults who are ill with influenza may be
able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms
develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children
and persons with weakened immune systems might be able to infect other for even
a longer period of time. The virus can also be spread by people who
are infected but have no symptoms.
Q. How is influenza
spread?
A. Influenza viruses can be spread by
large respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes
in close proximity to an uninfected person. Sometimes influenza viruses are
spread when a person touches a surface with influenza viruses on it (e.g., a
doorknob), and then touches his or her own nose or mouth.
Q. What are the symptoms?
A. Influenza usually comes on suddenly,
one to four days after the virus enters the body, and may include these
symptoms:
- Fever or feeling
feverish/chills
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
-
Headache
- Tiredness (can be
extreme)
- Muscle or body aches
Among children, otitis
media (ear infection), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common. Some persons
who are infected with the influenza virus do not have symptoms.
Q. How is influenza
treated?
A. Most people who develop influenza
illness will recover on their own with bed rest and do not need medication.
Antiviral medications can shorten the duration and severity of illness if given
within the first 48 hours of the illness. These medications are usually
prescribed to persons who have a severe illness or to those who are at higher
risk for developing serious illness or complications due to influenza.
Q. Who is most likely to
get sick with influenza?
A. Anyone can get sick with influenza. It
is estimated that approximately 5%-20% of the population gets the flu each
year. Some people are more likely to develop complications from their influenza
illness, leading to hospitalization or even death. People who seem to be at
higher risk for complications from the flu include:
- Children < 5 years of
age, especially children < 2 years of age
- Adults aged 65 years or
older
- Pregnant women
-
American Indians and
Alaskan Natives
- Persons with certain
medical conditions including asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental
conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes and other endocrine
disorders, liver or kidney disorders, blood disorders, and metabolic disease
- Persons with a weakened
immune system (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer, chronic corticosteroid treatment)
-
People younger than 19
years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
- Persons who are morbidly
obese
Q. What if I am exposed to
someone who has influenza?A. Healthy individuals exposed to someone
with influenza should monitor themselves for a few days to see if they develop
symptoms. If symptoms develop, these individuals will usually recover on their
own without medical treatment. Individuals at higher risk of complications who
have close contact with someone with influenza should contact their medical
provider as soon as possible after exposure. The medical provider will
determine whether antiviral medications should be given to prevent disease.
Q. How long would it take
for me to become sick if I were in close contact with an infected person?
A. Most people will get sick within 1 to 4
days after exposure to the virus; however, some people will not develop
symptoms.
Q. Is there a vaccine for
influenza?
A. A new influenza vaccine is available each
year, typically beginning in August or September. The influenza vaccine has
three components: an influenza A (H1N1) strain, an influenza A (H3N2) strain,
and an influenza B strain. Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for all
persons 6 months of age and older. Persons should seek vaccination as early as
possible because once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the body to
mount a protective immune response. That said, it is never too late in the
season to get an influenza vaccine because influenza viruses circulate
year-round. Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent
influenza and related complications.
Q. Is influenza
reportable? What does the health department do when cases are reported?
A. In Texas, most individual cases of
influenza are not reportable by law to the health department; however, deaths
from influenza in children under the age of 18 years (i.e.,
influenza-associated pediatric deaths) are reportable within one working day.
Influenza outbreaks and infections with variant or novel influenza strains are
also reportable. All proven or suspected influenza-associated pediatric deaths,
outbreaks, and variant or novel influenza cases are investigated by the health
department.
Q. When can my child
return to school after being ill with influenza?
A. Ill children and adults should stay
home and away from well persons until they are fever free for at least 24 hours
without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Q. Are there other recommendations
to avoid this illness in my household?
A. General steps you can take to avoid
influenza illness include:
- Get vaccinated for
influenza every year
- Wash hands frequently
with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing
- Use alcohol-based hand
sanitizers when facilities are not available for hand washing
- Cover coughs and sneezes
with disposable tissues or your arm/sleeve
- Avoid touching your eyes,
nose, or mouth
- Avoid close contact with
people who are sick
- When you are sick, limit
contact with others and stay home until fever free for 24 hours without the use
of fever-reducing medications
- Take antiviral
medications if prescribed by your doctor