Oklahoma State Department of Health - Influenza Information and Prevention

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Influenza and Respiratory Virus Information and Prevention

Influenza, "the flu", is caused by a virus that affects the nose, throat, airways, and lungs. Influenza A or B may circulate in the United States during late fall and winter. One of the most important ways to prevent influenza is to get the influenza vaccine. The 2007-2008 influenza vaccine contains the following components: influenza A Solomon Islands H1N1-like virus, influenza A Wisconsin H3N2-like virus and B Malaysia-like virus. Vaccination with the nasal-spray flue vaccine may be given to health persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant. For more information on where you can get your influenza vaccine, please visit the Flu Clinic Locator or you may contact you local county health department.

Other actions you can take to reduce the spread of viral respiratory illness include using good hand hygiene, such as using an alcohol-based hand gel if hands are not visibly soiled and using proper cough etiquette such as covering your cough. Listed below are resources and educational materials that you may distribute throughout your community.

Influenza Fact Sheets and Posters
The Flu En Espanol
Don't Let the Flu Get You En Espanol

OSDH Respiratory Virus Fact Sheets and Posters
RSV
Pneumococcal Disease
Pandemic Influenza En Espanol
Avian Influenza En Espanol
Bird Flu Facts
2007 Oklahoma State Pandemic Management Plan
Oklahoma Pandemic Flu Management Fact Sheet

Respiratory Virus Prevention Information
Cover Your Cough En Espanol
Antivirals
Hand Hygeine
Flu Prevention Activity Book
OSDH Infection Control Guidelines
Personal Steps to Preventing the Flu

External Resources
American Lung Association
CDC Educational Information
CDC Flu Prevention

--For vaccine information, please visit our Vaccination Page

Is it the Cold or Flu?

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare	Usual; high (100 F to 102 F occasionally higher, especially in younger children); last 3 to 4 days
Headache	Rare	Common
General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness	Sometimes	Usual; can last up to 2 to 3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Usual; at the beginning of the illness
Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe
Treatment	Antihistamines Decongestant Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines	Antiviral medicines-see your doctor
Prevention	Use good hand hygiene Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold Cover you cough	Annual vaccination Use good hand hygiene Avoid close contact to anyone with the flu Cover your cough Antiviral medicines-see your doctor
Complication	Sinus congestion Middle ear infection Asthma	Bronchitis Pneumonia-can be life threatening Sepsis