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The flu

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Flu; Influenza A; Influenza B

Prevention:

A yearly vaccine is recommended for infants, the elderly, women who may be pregnant during flu season, and those with certain chronic health conditions. The vaccine is also recommended for people who work or live with others at high risk.

A flu shot can help lower one's chances of getting the flu. A flu shot is generally available to people who:

• Are over 6 months old
• Don't have a serious allergy to eggs
• Haven't had a serious reaction to flu shots in the past
• Are not pregnant

A new nasal spray-type flu vaccine called FluMist is available to people aged 5 to 49 years old. FluMist uses a live, weakened virus instead of a dead one like the flu shot. In one study, the nasal spray provided protection against the flu in up to 93% of children.

See also: Influenza vaccine .

References:

CDC Recommends Against the Use of Amantadine and Rimantadine for the Treatment or Prophylaxis of Influenza in the United States during the 2005-06 Influenza Season . Atlanta, Ga. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 14, 2006.

Long SS, Pickering LK, and Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2 ^nd Ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, 2003:1159-1160.

Ferri FF. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 2005 ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2005:447-448.

Noble J., ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3 ^rd Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

• Review Date: 1/18/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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