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Flu Resources
The best way to prevent influenza is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.
Washing
your hands often also helps prevent the spread of influenza.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Information
Key
Facts About Influenza (Flu) Vaccine 
Inactivated
Influenza Vaccine: What You Need to Know (PDF)
Nasal-Spray
Flu Vaccine (LAIV)
Mercury
(Thimerosal) in Vaccines?
Is It a Cold or the Flu?
| SYMPTOMS | COLD | INFLUENZA (FLU) |
| Fever | Rare | Characteristic, high (102-104°F) and lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Prominent |
| General Aches, Pains | Slight | Usual, often severe |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Quite Mild | Can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Early and prominent |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest Discomfort | Mild to moderate, hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |
| COMPLICATIONS | Sinus congestion or earache |
Bronchitis; pneumonia; can be life-threatening |
| PREVENTION | None | Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines–see your doctor |
| TREATMENT | Temporary relief of symptoms with over-the-counter medicines |
Antiviral medicines–see your doctor |
Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease |
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Concerned
That You May Have the Flu?
Call our 24-hour free service, Dean
on Call, at (800) 576-8773 (800-57-NURSE) to speak to a nurse.
Dean on Call will help you decide the best course of action.
Other Resources
ScrubClub.org
A fun, educational site for kids, parents and teachers, to teach good hygeine
to children and prevent the spread of illness caused by bacteria and viruses.
MedlinePlus:
Influenza
Links to the latest news and information about the flu, provided
by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and the National Health
Instutute. Information in Spanish and English.
Information sheet produced by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
