Flu season is here once again and with it, all the muscle aches, headaches, and fever. Flu season usually begins in November and lasts through March, and cases are already being reported.

Influenza is the “flu virus” and unlike simple “cold,” influenza is a major health problem. It can keep our children home from school and make us lose time from work.

Influenza A and B are the most important strains of the virus. The flu virus goes throughout multiple mutations every year so this requires that the flu vaccine be newly formulated each year, based on the strains of flu that arose the previous year. Influenza A can also be found in animals. This explains epidemics caused by animal viruses such as swine flu (from pigs) and avian flu (from birds).

Flu symptoms usually come on quickly and last about a week. People can sometimes pinpoint the exact time they began to feel bad. The muscle aches and pains, headache and fever may be very severe, but stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is almost never present. Complications, like pneumonia, can occur, are more common in persons over 65.

So how can we prevent the flu? Very simply, get the flu vaccine, now. Flu vaccine is now being given, because it takes 2-3 weeks for the vaccine to become protective. It is estimated that only 30% of people get the flu vaccine regularly each year. Children over six months and adults should get the vaccine. Contrary to popular belief, the flu vaccine rarely produces flu-like symptoms and in those rare cases where it does, the symptoms are much milder than those of the actual flu. The FDA approved a live viral nasal spray vaccine called FluMist. It is approved for patients aged 2-49, but should not be given to patients with heart and lung conditions, diabetes, immunodeficiency, pregnant women, or patients with egg allergies.

The new significant flu pandemic virus called H1N1 influenza, is a mixture of avian, swine and human viral proteins. This combination of proteins makes the virus especially contagious during the upcoming flu season. Vaccines should be available in October and are recommended as the best prevention, in addition to good hand hygiene and cough etiquette to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. The only two antiviral medications recommended for treatment and prevention are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). For more information on seasonal flu and H1N1, go to www.cdc.gov/h1n1flul.