Advancing Health Podcast
United Against the Flu
National health care organizations want everyone to be healthy and know the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu.
The flu attacks the lungs, nose, throat, and the immune system. The most important step you can take to avoid serious, flu-related illnesses is to be vaccinated.
Join United Against the Flu
2024-25 BY THE NUMBERS
Flu Illnesses
47 - 82 Million
Flu Hospitalizations
610,000 - 1.3 Million
Deaths
27,000 - 130,000
Who needs a flu vaccine?
The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated, particularly people who are at a high risk for flu complications. This includes people 65 years and older, young children and people with chronic conditions such as asthma or heart disease. Individuals who care for or live with these high-risk populations also should get vaccinated.
When Should You Get the Flu Vaccine?
Flu is most common in the fall and winter. For most people, September – October is a good time to get the vaccine, though children and people in their third trimester of pregnancy may want to get it earlier.
Flu Virus What you need to know
According to the CDC, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness. It can spread from person-to-person, and the CDC recommends social distancing, frequent hand-washing and the use of cloth face masks to mitigate infection.
1 or multiple days can pass from when a person becomes infected with the flu to when they start to experience symptoms of illness.
A person infected with the flu can experience symptoms for 1-4 days after infection.
Most people with the flu are contagious for about 1 day before they show symptoms. Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the first 3-4 days of their illness, but many people remain contagious for about 7 days. Infants and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for even longer.
The flu can spread from person to person between people who are in close contact with one another. It is spread mainly by particles containing virus that are expelled when people with the illness cough, sneeze, or talk. These particles can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Although most spread is by inhalation, it may be possible that a person can get infected by touching another person (for example, shaking hands with someone who has the virus on their hands), or by touching a surface or object that has virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. The flu virus can be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms; by people with very mild symptoms; and by people who never experience symptoms (asymptomatic people).
*Data and information sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
*For consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which I acknowledge, I grant to the American Hospital Association, its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, shareholders, and their respective licensees, successors, assigns, legal representatives, agents and heirs (collectively, “AHA”), the transferable, irrevocable, sublicensable, perpetual, nonexclusive and worldwide right to use my image, name, photograph, voice, persona, likeness or other personal identifying characteristics in all forms of media now known or hereafter developed (collectively, my “Image”) in connection with United Against the Flu and for such other purposes as AHA deems appropriate. The AHA reserves the right to refuse the usage of partner name and logo.I waive the right to inspect or approve any materials incorporating my Image, as well as my right to royalties or other compensation for the use of same. I also waive any claim to any intangible rights, including (but not limited to) the right of publicity or copyright, in connection with any tangible medium of expression incorporating my Image created and/or used by AHA. In addition, I release and hold harmless AHA from any claims and/or liabilities arising out of or in connection with AHA’s use of my Image. I represent that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age.
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