The following Information is taken from West Virginia Influenza "Flu" Resource Center:

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that can spread easily from person to person. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms usually are fever and cough or sore throat, and may also include headache, extreme tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, or muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur, especially in children.

What can you do? Get vaccinated! Everybody age 6 months and older should get influenza vaccine every year. Last year, everyone that wanted to be vaccinated against H1N1 had to get a separate shot. This year is different. The seasonal flu vaccine this year provides protection against H1N1. There are two types of flu vaccine that one may receive. The first is an inactivated (‘flu shot’): This flu vaccine can be given by injection to anyone aged 6 months or older.

The other is called Live attenuated (‘nasal spray’): This flu vaccine can be given as a nose spray to any healthy non-pregnant person that are between the ages of 2-49. Both types of influenza vaccine protect against 3 strains of flu, including H1N1.

Please read the Vaccine Information Statements on Inactivated Flu or Live Intranasal Flu vaccines. The VIS also includes information as to who should not be vaccinated.

Most people need only one dose for protection. Some children aged 6 months through 8 years will need two doses four weeks apart for full protection this year. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more information.

As with all vaccines, there are numerous myths that often confuse people. Here is credible information about vaccine safety.

The following links are provided as Influenza resources: