Immunization Action Coalition - Influenza (slide #25)

Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• shows how influenza germs spread
through the air when someone coughs
• this is how many other diseases are
spread, too

Influenza
• serious disease
• can cause pneumonia and death and
is especially serious for people over
65 years of age

Influenza germ
• spreads very easily by coughing and
sneezing

Once infected
• takes 1-3 days to get sick

Symptoms
• fever and chills
• sore throat
• dry cough
• headache
• runny nose
• chest pain
• weakness and tiredness

Complications
• pneumonia
• swelling of the brain
• death

Influenza is easy to prevent with vaccine. All adults 65 years of age and older and some younger people, including some children, need this shot every fall.