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GoodToShare.com Influenza PSA


Flu Facts

There are many misconceptions about the flu, it is important to know fact from fiction.

What is Influenza?

Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). Unlike the common cold, the FLU can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people of all ages.

Cold Vs. The Flu

    Cold
  • Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Runny or Stuffy Nose
  • All symptoms are usually very mild
    The Flu
  • Fever (usually high)
  • Headache
  • Extreme Tiredness
  • Dry Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Runny or Stuffy Nose
  • Muscle Aches
  • Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

WHY TAKE A CHANCE IN KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE,
JUST GET VACCINATED

How to Stop the Spread of the Flu

  1. Get Vaccinated
  2. Cover your mouth and nose with elbow. (not your hands)
  3. Clean your hands with SOAP.
  4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  5. If sick, stay home.
  6. Avoid contact with individuals that are sick.
When an individual becomes infected, unvaccinated household members and work colleagues quickly follow suit, leading to missed school days, missed work, doctor visits and sometimes hospital visits.

Who can get the flu?

  • Anyone. Young or old, healthy or high risk.
  • In fact, one in five people in the US get the flu each season.
  • The flu does not discriminate.

Pediatric Mortality Numbers:

  • The 2007-2008 20 week Flu Season brought 72 pediatric deaths. The Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality rates were at epidemic levels for 19 of the 20 weeks.
  • 2006-2007 Flu Season - 68 influenza-related deaths were reported among persons under the age of 18 with the majority of who were between 5-17 years old. 94% had not been vaccinated against the flu.
  • 2005-2006 Flu Season - 48 children under the age 18 died from influenza. Three students in Eastern Pennsylvania died suddenly from the flu within eight days of each other.
  • 2004-2005 Flu Season - 44 children under the age 18.
  • 2003-2004 Flu Season - 153 children under the age of 18.
  • This is a total of 385 children that have died from a preventable disease in just five years.

Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (FFF), together with the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced the launch of this compelling video documentary featuring parents (including Diane McGowan, Martin's mother) who have tragically had a child die as a result of influenza. Please take a moment to watch this video.


Who can get the flu?

  • Anyone. Young or old, healthy or high risk.
  • In fact, one in five people in the US get the flu each season.
  • The flu does not discriminate.

Pediatric Mortality Numbers:

  • The 2007-2008 20 week Flu Season brought 72 pediatric deaths. The Pneumonia and Influenza Mortality rates were at epidemic levels for 19 of the 20 weeks.
  • 2006-2007 Flu Season - 68 influenza-related deaths were reported among persons under the age of 18 with the majority of who were between 5-17 years old. 94% had not been vaccinated against the flu.
  • 2005-2006 Flu Season - 48 children under the age 18 died from influenza. Three students in Eastern Pennsylvania died suddenly from the flu within eight days of each other.
  • 2004-2005 Flu Season - 44 children under the age 18.
  • 2003-2004 Flu Season - 153 children under the age of 18.
  • This is a total of 385 children that have died from a preventable disease in just five years.