What is Influenza?
Influenza ("the flu") is:
- A contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus
- Spread through coughing, sneezing, and touching items that are contaminated with the virus (e.g., doorknobs, keyboards, etc.)
Individuals with the flu are infectious 1 - 2 days before showing symptoms and during their entire illness.
Is it the Flu?
Symptoms of the Flu:
- Fever of more than 100° F
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Body Aches
- Headache
- Chills & Fatigue
- Vomiting & Diarrhea
Seasonal vs. Pan Flu
Seasonal Flu
The seasonal flu presents each year, giving most people some immunity from previous exposure. Health systems can usually meet public needs.
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Pandemic Flu
A rarely occurring phenomenon, pandemic flu arrives with little, if any previous exposure to human populations. Health systems may be overwhelmed.
Read More >>
Seasonal Flu Vaccination
An effective prevention measure against influenza is vaccination.
The Flu Shot Locator provides a searchable map showing where clinics can be found anywhere in Indiana.
Contacting your Local Health Department will also provide locations in your community where vaccination clinics can be found.
Stay Connected
- What is the difference between swine flu and this new strain of influenza?
- What are the symptoms of this new flu strain in humans?
- Can people catch the flu from eating pork?
- How do I prevent the spread of flu?
- How do I get more information about this flu?
- Does getting the seasonal flu shot protect me from catching this flu virus?
- What medications are available to treat flu infections in humans?
