Influenza is highly contagious and is easily transmitted through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person during coughing and sneezing.
incubation
1–5 days
symptoms
headache, fever, chills, cough or sore throat and body aches
communicability
The contagious period varies, but commonly begins the day before symptoms appear and extends for a week.
prevention
An Influenza vaccine is available. The viruses that cause flu frequently change, so people who have been infected or given a flu shot in previous years may become infected with a new strain. Because of this, and because any immunity produced by the flu shot may decrease in the year after vaccination, people should be vaccinated every year.
treatment
Rest and liquids are usually adequate. Prescription drugs called Amantadine and Rimantadine may prevent or reduce the severity of influenza type A, but are not effective against type B. Newer prescription drugs called Zanamivir and Oseltamivir may reduce the severity of influenza types A and B.
