The flu is a contagious respiratory condition caused by one or more influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The flu, also commonly called influenza, can cause mild to severe illness and can sometimes lead to death. The most effective measure to combat the flu is to schedule an annual flu vaccine each year prior to the flu season. Elderly adults and senior (age 65+) are considered a greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu due to certain health conditions (i.e. heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and asthma) and aging inherent in this age group.
Signs and/or Symptoms of the Flu
- Feeling feverish or chills; fever
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Body ache
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Some vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children).
Flu Can Be A Serious Illness For The Elderly
The flu is known to be rather unpredictable. The severity level of the flu can vary from one season to the next. Here are some variables to consider:
- Type of flu viruses that are spreading within the United States
- The inventory or stockpile of how much flu vaccine is available at the time
- When the vaccine is made available to the public
- How many people get vaccinated during this period of inventory and availability
- How well the vaccine is matched to the fly virus that is causing the illness.
As stated earlier, the elderly (age 65+) are particularly at high-risk (due to age and chronic medical conditions) to contract the flu and/or to have serious life-threatening complications as a result of contracting the illness. Flu-associated deaths range from a low of around 3,000 to a high of 49,000 individuals over a recent 30-year period.
Complications derived from the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and dehydration. Additionally, chronic medical conditions associated with the elderly such as congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes can dramatically worsen when combined with the flu.
Flu Can Be Contagious
Flu viruses spread or be airborne mainly by the droplets produced when people with the flu cough, sneeze or even speak. Droplets can land in the mouths or noses of individuals who are physically in proximity to the person with the flu. An individual might contract the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it. It can then pass to the individual through re-contact with their own mouth, eyes or nose.
A person can also pass on the flu on to someone else before they even know they have the illness themselves. Most healthy adults are able to infect others beginning one day before the symptoms develop; and up to five to seven days after becoming sick with the flu. older adults with weakened immune systems might be able to infect others for an even longer period of time.
Flu Can Be Prevented
The most effective way to prevent the flu is to schedule and receive a flu vaccination EACH season. Traditional flu vaccines are made to protect a population against three different flu viruses. These are called trivalent vaccines. Presently, this flu season offers vaccines made to protect against four different flu viruses. These are called trivalent vaccines. Please read on to Part 2 of our flu series to learn more about flu prevention and flu vaccines, in particular.
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