6 reasons the flu should not be ignored

(BPT) - Although influenza or “the flu” is a highly-contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, lungs and throat), a recent survey by Families Fighting Flu found that U.S. adults have a significant gap in their understanding about the seriousness of this infectious disease. Flu season has already started in the U.S. and it may last as late as May. While nobody wants to get sick, many people do not take the simple step of getting an annual flu vaccination - the best preventative measure available to help protect against this potentially deadly disease.

Here are six facts you need to know about the flu to stay healthy:

Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults believe that the flu is a significant threat to the health of all Americans. Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and approximately 100 children die due to the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months of age and older receives an annual flu vaccination.

2. Flu strains change each season

Flu is a viral infection made up of different types of strains, including A, B and C, and it’s also an unpredictable disease. Some seasons are more severe than others, such as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic when an estimated 43 million to 89 million people caught this virus. There is no way to know what type of flu season is coming so the best way to help protect yourself is by getting a flu vaccination. It’s not too late!

3. Flu easily spreads from person to person

Flu spreads via tiny droplets created when a person talks, coughs or sneezes and can be spread up to six feet away. The survey found that nearly half of U.S. adults are concerned about Ebola (45 percent), a disease much more difficult to catch than influenza, which 39 percent of U.S. adults are concerned about. Children tend to be the “spreaders” of germs and viruses, putting themselves and others at higher risk for catching the flu.

4. Flu isn’t the common cold

Though often confused with the common cold, flu symptoms tend to develop quicker (usually 1-to-4 days after exposure to the virus) with more severe symptoms, including fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are also common symptoms in children. If you do feel sick, it’s important to stay home to avoid spreading germs and seek medical attention.

5. Flu may make you miss an event or activity you enjoy

Flu causes adults and children to miss out on activities. For example, each year children miss more than 38 million days of school. It’s no fun to be stuck at home in bed with the flu when you would much rather be at a sporting event or hanging out with friends. In fact, when asked which activities they would miss most if diagnosed with flu, the most popular responses from U.S. adults included routine activities, such as grocery shopping (40 percent), work (33 percent) and spending time with family (34 percent). We live very busy lives, although if you catch the flu you won’t be busy for the next 7-10 days (the typical length of time a person is sick with flu).

6. Flu is a vaccine-preventable disease

Surprisingly, 65 percent of U.S. adults could not correctly identify the number one way to help prevent catching the flu. The best protection is an annual flu vaccination! Hand washing is definitely an important healthy habit, as is getting plenty of sleep, staying home if you are sick, and coughing into your elbow (instead of your hand). But getting a flu vaccination is the best preventative measure we have. It’s quick, simple and available at places such as your doctor’s office, school, work or a local pharmacy.

Remember: It’s not ‘just’ the flu - it’s a serious disease. Getting an annual flu vaccination will help keep you and your family healthy this season. For more information about the flu or to find a flu clinic in your area, please visit: www.familiesfightingflu.org.

Survey methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Families Fighting Flu from October 29-31, 2014 among 2,022 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Laura Scott, Families Fighting Flu; lscott@familiesgfightingflu.org.