Seasonal Flu

What You Need to Know

This information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 

is for VA staff, veterans, their families, and their friends. It describes 

facts on seasonal influenza (flu).

Each year in the U.S.,

the flu causes more than

226,000 hospitalizations

and about 36,000 deaths.

! A flu shot* is

the best way

to protect yourself

against seasonal

influenza (flu).

* Note: Flu vaccine is available as both 

 a shot and a nasal spray.

To learn more about the flu, visit 

www.cdc.gov/flu 

www.publichealth.va.gov/flu

U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Central Office (13B)

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20420

publichealth@va.gov

This material is NOT copyrighted and may be reproduced.

Gen Audience 8 July 2009

Common

Seasonal Flu Symptoms:

 Fever (Usually High)

 Cough 

 Runny Or Stuffy Nose

 Sore Throat

 Feeling Tired Or Weak

 Headache

 Muscle Or Body Aches

 Stomach Symptoms 

 (Mostly In Children)

! Getting A 

Flu Shot Can:

 PROTECT you, your family, 

 and your friends from the flu

 PREVENT severe illness 

 and even death

Seasonal flu is a 

respiratory illness that: 

 Is caused by flu viruses that can 

 change each year

 Spreads easily

 Occurs each year during fall, winter, 

 and spring

How does the flu spread?

 When a person with the flu sneezes,

 coughs, talks, or laughs, the flu virus can 

 spread into the air as droplets from their 

 mouth or nose. These droplets can spread

 to people and surfaces within 3 to 6 feet.

 The flu virus can spread to your hands 

 if you touch anything that has the 

 virus on it. If you then touch your eyes, 

 nose, or mouth, you can get the flu.
How is

seasonal flu

treated?

By getting rest

By using fever reducers

like Acetaminophen (e.g.,

Tylenol®) or Ibuprofen

(e.g., Advil® or Motrin®)**

By taking antiviral drugs 

as Needed (From your 

healthcare provider)

By drinking fluids

** Brand names included in this information are provided as examples only. Their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by VA 

 or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

The best way to stop the flu is to

GET A FLU SHOT EACH YEAR

Who should get a flu shot?

Anyone who wants to reduce the risk 

for becoming ill with flu! Especially:

Adults aged 50 and older

Anyone who lives in community living 

centers with other people (e.g., nursing 

homes and domiciliaries)

Anyone with ongoing health problems

Children aged 6 months through 18 years

Women who will be pregnant during 

flu season

Healthcare workers and caregivers, 

including household contacts

Who should NOT

get a flu shot?

People who have a severe allergy to 

chicken eggs

People who have had a severe reaction 

to a flu shot in the past

People who have had Guillain-Barré 

Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of 

getting a flu shot

Children aged less than 6 months

People who are sick with a fever 

(recover before getting a flu shot)

What happens when 

people get the flu virus?

Illness can start 1 to 4 days after exposure

Illness from flu can:

 Make other health problems worse

 Cause pneumonia

 Lead to death (mostly in those 

 age 65 and older)

People may be able to spread the flu virus 

to others 1 day before they feel sick and

up to 5 days after getting sick

The flu virus can live 

on surfaces, such as 

countertops and door 

knobs, for 24-48 hours. 

How can I protect myself

from seasonal flu?

Get vaccinated (flu shot or nasal spray) 

each year in fall or winter

Avoid people who are sick

Clean hands often

Keep hands away from face

Cover coughs and sneezes

? Can a flu shot give me 

the flu?

NO. Some people get minor body aches, 

a headache, or a low-grade fever, but 

this is NOT the flu. If these problems 

occur, they begin soon after the shot 

and usually last 1 to 2 days. Most people 

have none of these symptoms. 

There is no live virus in the flu shot so 

you cannot get the flu from a flu shot.

Almost all people who get the flu shot 

have no serious problems from it.