Influenza

Title: 

Influenza

Students: you've got one shot to get it right

Call Student Health Services (541-737-9355) to schedule an appointment to get your flu shot. Bring your student ID card and your insurance card.

Find flu shot events

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. 

It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average:

  • Approximately 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu;
  • More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
  • About 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

INFLUENZA INFORMATION

Different viruses cause the cold and flu. The two sicknesses share symptoms, but flu is more severe.

  • Cold – runny nose, mild aches, mild cough, sore throat, may have a low fever.
  • Flu – fever is usually 101 degrees or higher, more severe aches, headache, mild runny nose.
SYMPTOM COLD FLU
Fever Rare High fever
Headache Rare Prominent
General aches and pains Slight Usual, often intense
Fatigue and weakness Very mild Common. can last 2–3 weeks
Extreme exhaustion Never Early and prominent
Stuffy nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Common Sometimes
Sore throat Common Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough Mild Common, can get severe
Sputum Common Rare
 
  • Fever (usually high)

  • Headache

  • Extreme tiredness

  • Dry cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle aches

  • Stomach symptoms (more common in children than adults)

Complications of flu can include:

  • bacterial pneumonia
  • ear infections 
  • sinus infections
  • dehydration
  • worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.

Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. 

That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Take time to get a flu vaccine each year.

  • Flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness.
  • The vaccine can make your illness milder if you become infected with a strain of virus not covered by the vaccine.

Take everyday preventive actions.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get the flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them. (They are not a substitute for vaccination.)

  • Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
  • Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. This could be especially important for people at high risk.

Sources: OSU Student Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.