{"id":1665,"date":"2023-02-16T10:45:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T15:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/rappahannock-rapidan\/?page_id=1665"},"modified":"2023-03-15T09:50:24","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T13:50:24","slug":"respiratory-illnesses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/rappahannock-rapidan\/respiratory-illnesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Respiratory Illnesses"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jump To:\u00a0Influenza<\/a> | Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)<\/a> | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Influenza<\/h3>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is Influenza?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow is flu spread?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat are the symptoms of flu?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the treatment for flu?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow can flu be prevented?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho should be vaccinated against flu?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t
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\"The flu\" is a contagious respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness. There are two main types: Type A and Type B, with each type having various strains that can change annually. Flu season typically starts in the fall and continues throughout the winter.<\/p>\n

For more information: click here\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

To access 2022-23 Influenza Surveillance: click here<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Droplets are released when a sick person talks, coughs or sneezes, and they can land in the mouths or inhaled through the noses of others. Individuals can also contract the flu by touching their mouths or noses after touching contaminated objects but this is less likely to occur. People are infectious 1 day before symptoms appear and 5-7 days after becoming sick. Symptoms typically appear 1-4 days after exposure.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. In children, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Most people recover within a few days to less than two weeks but some can develop severe or life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Resting, drinking fluids, and taking over-the-counter medicines for fever and discomfort are the usual treatments. Physicians can prescribe antivirals to reduce flu severity. Aspirin should\u00a0not\u00a0<\/strong>be given to children with fever-causing illnesses and antibiotics are not\u00a0<\/strong>used to treat the flu.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Get vaccinated, cover your mouth and nose, wash your hands with soap, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, stay home if sick, avoid close contact with sick people, clean contaminated surfaces, and take prescribed antivirals.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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Everyone aged 6 months or older, especially individuals that are considered high risk such as pregnant women, older adults, and people with chronic diseases or serious medical conditions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

3 Things You Need To Know About Flu & Chronic Health Conditions<\/h3>\n
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