Key Facts about This Year’s Flu Season Published Oct. 24, 2007 By 341st Medical Group staff MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- What is Influenza (the flu)? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times, can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by hand washing and getting a flu vaccination each year. There are two types of vaccines that protect against the flu. The shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The shot is approved for use among people 6 months of age or older, including healthy people, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions. A different kind of vaccine, called the nasal-spray flu vaccine or FluMist, was approved in 2003. The nasal-spray flu vaccine contains weakened live viruses, and is administered by nasal sprayer. It is approved for use only among healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. The nasal spray flu vaccine will be the primary vaccine administered to active-duty personnel this year. There will be a FluMist questionnaire (active duty, please have this filled out prior to arriving to the vaccine line) distributed to each of the base Squadrons. This questionnaire must be completed prior to being vaccinated. Symptoms of Flu Symptoms of flu include: · fever (usually high) · headache · extreme tiredness · dry cough · sore throat · runny or stuffy nose · muscle aches · stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults How Flu Spreads Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means people may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before they know they are sick, as well as while they are sick. Preventing Seasonal Flu: Get Vaccinated The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. Other effective ways of preventing the spread of the flu is washing your hands often, and coughing and sneezing into your sleeve. The 341st Medical Group will be vaccinating against the flu as soon as the vaccine shipment arrives. The medical group, working with wing leadership, will announce the dates and times of Malmstrom's active-duty flu vaccination lines. There will be active-duty vaccination lines at building 500 and building 3080. It is absolutely necessary for full participation by all active-duty personnel in the mass vaccination lines. If you have a question, please call the Immunization Clinic at 731-4455.