Flu Prevention

Learn about Penn State’s Plans for Pandemic Flu

Avian flu is a virulent viral disease affecting poultry and other birds in Asia. It is also called "bird flu." It has caused a small number of cases of flu and even some deaths in people who have been in direct contact with infected birds. No cases of sustained human-to-human transmission have been established as of December 2006; however, scientists are concerned that the avian flu virus may mutate and become transmissible between humans. Avian flu virus has not been found in the U.S.

Every year, usually between December and May, between 5% and 20% of the population in the U.S. become ill with the flu, or influenza. This is the normal course of seasonal flu with which we have become accustomed. It can cause serious illness and even death in the very young, the elderly and other individuals with impaired resistance and chronic illness. For this reason, everyone should get a flu shot unless your health care provider advises you otherwise.

In 1918, 1957 and 1968, the flu season in the U.S. was especially severe and resulted in a much higher number of illnesses and deaths. This more dangerous form is called pandemic flu. Public health experts believe that a flu pandemic is likely to occur again in the future and worry that a mutant form of avian flu, under certain circumstances, could eventually cause a flu pandemic.

What is the flu?

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness caused by airborne viruses that spread from person-to-person by droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking. The period between becoming infected with the virus and becoming ill is usually 1 to 4 days. The contagious period is 3 to 5 days from the onset of symptoms. Symptoms of the flu, or influenza, are:

• Fever (up to 104 degrees) and sweating/chills
• Headache, muscle aches and/or stiffness
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting and nausea (in children)

How Flu Spreads

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing, sneezing and speaking. They usually spread from close person-to-person contact, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The virus can live for as long as two days on surfaces like doorknobs, desks and tables.

Healthy adults, infected with the virus, may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.