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Summary: Influenza is highly contagious, and it is one of the most dangerous types of common viral infection. Discover how influenza can be spread by someone who has it one day before they even realize they have the symptoms with information from a practicing pediatrician in this free video on influenza.
Dr. David Hill is a graduate of the UNC internal medicine and pediatrics combined residency, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and vice president of Cape Fear Pediatrics...read more
"Hi, I'm Dr. David Hill, and today, we're going to be talking about whether influenza is highly contagious. Yes. No, there's more to say than that, of course, but yes, influenza is highly contagious. When we say influenza, we're really talking about a very specific type of viral infection. However, it's among the most dangerous of common viral infections. Every year in the United States, 200,000 people, on average, are hospitalized. 36,000 actually die from complications of influenza. And between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu. Flu can be spread by someone who has it one day before they even know they have the symptoms, and within five days of beginning to get the symptoms of the flu. Spread is relatively easy. It can occur when somebody coughs or sneezes, releasing particles of mucus into the air. It can occur if they touch their nose or face, shake your hand, and then you touch your nose or face. So hand to hand contact is a very common form of spread. The only real way to make sure that you are not going to get influenza at any given season is to get vaccinated. Now, the flu vaccine is not perfect. In some seasons, it only works about 60 or 70 percent of the time, but that cuts more than in half your risk of getting influenza. And if you do and have been vaccinated, you're likely not to get as sick from the influenza. The best vaccine, if you qualify, is the one that you get sprayed up your nose, but a flu shot will do. And if you've had a history of asthma, heart disease, or lung disease or if you're a child who's younger than two years of age, you may not qualify for the flu vaccine that goes in the nose. So remember, influenza is a highly contagious and very dangerous disease. The best way to make sure that you don't get the flu is to get vaccinated. And beyond that, practice careful hand-washing or hand sanitizing with an alcohol hand sanitizer. Talking about contagiousness in the flu, I'm Dr. David Hill."
eHow Article: Is Influenza Highly Contagious?
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