The Flu

Flu Information Line
Dial 2-1-1 from anywhere within Vermont, or visit the Vermont 2-1-1 Web site.

Flu Information

Prevent the Spread of Flu
What to Do if You Get Sick
Flu Essentials (CDC)
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Where to get Vaccinated?
Links, Fact Sheets, & Posters
Contact Us

What is the "flu?"
Influenza ("the flu"), is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The virus we usually face is referred to as Seasonal Flu, this year however, the dominant flu is the H1N1 virus.

The flu usually spreads through the air from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu. Unlike the common cold, the flu can cause serious illness and can be life-threatening. Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of the flu.

Prevent the Spread of Flu

The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot.

be a superhero - stay home if you are sick! To help prevent the spread of flu, or any other illness that can be spread from person to person:

Cover your cough.
Wash your hands often and well.
Keep yourself healthy with rest, exercise, and eating healthy foods.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Stay home if you get sick.
Avoid close contact with sick people.

Governor Jim Douglas teams up with Elmo to help spread the message of flu prevention

Listen to and download this audio PSA

Audio (AIF)

Audio (MOV)

Audio (MP3)

Senator Patrick Leahy urges Vermonters to take simple steps to protect themselves from the flu

Visit Flu.gov for additional flu-related PSAs.

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What to do if you get sick

Call your health care provider right away if your flu symptoms are severe.

What to do About the Flu: Deciding About Care
At-a-glance guidance about the level of care for adults and children based upon type and severity of symptoms.
(black & white version)

See also: What To Do If You Get Sick

Is It a Cold or Flu?
Flu symptoms can often be confused with the common cold, but the flu usually comes on more suddenly and is more severe.

Symptoms of flu may include fever (usually high), headache, tiredness and weakness (can be extreme), dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body or muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (much more common among children than adults).

A person who is sick with the flu can spread viruses. That means they are contagious. Adults are usually contagious from one day before having symptoms to seven days after getting sick. Children can be contagious for longer than seven days.

If you start to get flu symptoms:

Get plenty of rest.
Drink plenty of liquids.
Don't use alcohol or tobacco.
Stay home from work or school to protect others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze.
Take medication to lessen the symptoms of flu, but NEVER give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, especially fever, without first checking with your health care provider.

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Who Should Get Vaccinated?

For important updates, check our Flu Vaccine Information

fact man - flu shot superhero While nearly everyone will benefit from a flu shot, some people are especially vulnerable if they get the flu.

The Department of Health is encouraging all Vermonters to get vaccinated, especially those at high risk of complications from the flu.

People who should get vaccinated this year:

All children ages 6 months though 18 years
Household contacts of children under 5 years old, and especially those under 6 months
Any adult who wants to reduce the risk of getting the flu or transmitting it to others

Higher risk adults and those who care for, or are in contact with them should get vaccinated: