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Marin Influenza > Page Content - Top
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Page Content - Top
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This is the content that will appear at the top of each linked page. Descriptions appear at top of page, beneath tile header. It is also possible to link to external pages - external pages will appear in left column navigation links.
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 We've all had it. It's the flu we catch from our family, friends and co-workers, usually during the fall. It is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, spread when infected people sneeze or cough. Usually people get sick one to three days after they have been exposed. About 36,000 Americans die every year from the flu. Most people can prevent or reduce flu symptoms by getting an annual flu shot, washing their hands before eating or drinking, and staying away from others who are sick. | Seasonal Flu | |
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| It's the flu we catch from our family, friends and co-workers, usually during the fall. It is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, spread when infected people sneeze or cough. Usually people get sick one to three days after they have been exposed. About 36,000 Americans die each year from the flu. Most people can prevent or reduce flu symptoms by getting an annual flu shot, washing their hands before eating or drinking, and staying away from others who are sick. |
Many “bird flu” viruses occur naturally in wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds and in domestic poultry. The bird flu in the news is caused by the "H5N1" virus and is different because it is more deadly than some other bird flu viruses. Infected birds can spread the virus through bodily fluids to other birds. It can also spread to other animals including pigs, cats and rarely, to humans. Bird Flu is extremely rare in humans and occurs primarily in people who live or work with infected birds. |
An epidemic caused by a new virus, for which people have no immunity, spreads easily from person to person affecting a large number of people is called a “pandemic.” Pandemics spread rapidly around the world. The current Bird Flu virus does not spread easily between people, but it could change (mutate) into a form that spreads easily from person to person. No vaccines are available now, because a vaccine cannot be developed until the human pandemic flu virus exists | | Home | |
Many “bird flu” viruses occur naturally in wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds and in domestic poultry. The bird flu in the news is caused by the "H5N1" influenza virus and is different because it is more deadly than some other bird flu viruses. Infected birds can spread the virus through bodily fluids to other birds. It can also spread to other animals including pigs, cats and very rarely to humans. Many people who catch bird flu live or work closely with infected birds. There is currently no detected Avian Influenza activity in Marin County.
Most human cases to date have been located in Southeast Asia, and have resulted from contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with excretions from infected birds.
No sustained person-to-person transmission has been observed.
| Avian Flu | |
An epidemic caused by a new virus, for which people have no immunity, spreads easily from person to person, and crosses international boundaries usually affecting a large number of people is called a “pandemic.” Pandemics can spread rapidly around the world in only a few months. The current Bird Flu virus does not spread easily between people now, but it could change (mutate) into a form that spreads easily from person to person. No vaccines are available now, because a vaccine cannot be developed until the human pandemic flu virus exists. | Pandemic Flu | |
Information for Marin Clinicians and Health Care Providers. | Clinician Information | |
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
There are two types of vaccines:
The "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine—a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
| Flu Shot Information | |
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu. Marinflu.org has many resources, links and documents available to help you learn about influenza prevention and control.
| Prevention and Control | |
Locally, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (Marin DHHS) tracks influenza activity by collecting information on visits to local emergency departments for influenza-like illness, laboratory testing, and deaths due to pneumonia.
| Flu Surveillance |
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