Flu Facts

Flu is caused by a virus and is a disease of the body’s breathing system, including the nose, throat and lungs. Flu is short for “influenza.” In New England, the yearly flu season usually begins in the fall and lasts through March. Flu that occurs every winter season is called “seasonal flu.” New and very different flu viruses that appear every 30-40 years, like the H1N1 flu virus in 2009 and COVID-19 in 2020, are called “pandemic flu.” Seasonal flu and pandemic flu have similar symptoms, are spread the same way, and are prevented the same way.

Flu can be very serious. Every year in the U.S. seasonal flu causes thousands of hospital admissions and deaths. Some people are at higher risk of serious health problems when they get the flu. This includes pregnant women, infants, the elderly and people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, neurological and neuromuscular conditions and weakened immune systems.

When does Mashpee hold its flu clinics?

Mashpee Board of Health typically schedules two seasonal flu clinics in October-November timeframe.  Look for a flyer in September under the "News & Announcements" section of the website.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The most common symptoms of flu are fever, cough, and sore throat. Symptoms can also include body aches, headache, chills, runny nose and feeling very tired. Some people, especially young children, also have diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms last from a few days to up to a week or more.

How does the flu spread and how can I prevent getting/spreading it?

The flu virus is in the wet spray (droplets of saliva and mucus) that comes out of the nose and mouth of someone who coughs or sneezes. If you are close enough to a person with the flu (3 - 6 feet) when they cough or sneeze, you can breathe in the virus and get sick. Flu symptoms start 1 - 4 days (usually 2 days) after a person breathes in the virus.

Flu is spread easily from person to person. The virus can also live for a short time on things you touch like doorknobs, phones and toys. After you touch these objects, you can catch the virus when you touch your mouth, nose or eyes. Adults with flu can spread it from about one day before symptoms appear to about one week after. Children can spread the flu even longer after they get sick.

You can help prevent getting/spreading the flu by following these steps:

• Get flu vaccine every year as soon as it is available.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue.  Throw tissues away and wash your hands.  Always wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Use household cleaners to clean things that are touched often, like doorknobs, toys, and phones.
• Avoid close physical contact with people who are sick. Try to stay at least 3-6 feet from someone who is sick with the flu.
• Stay home from work and school if you get sick with a flu-like illness (fever with cough or sore throat) and avoid contact with others so the virus does not spread.
  • Stay at home until you have been free from fever for at least 24 hours after your last dose of fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol, Advil or Motrin). For most people this will mean staying at home for about 4 days.
  • If you think you might have flu and you need to see your doctor, call ahead and let them know you might have the flu. That way, your doctor’s office can take steps to avoid the spread of flu to others. The doctor may recommend that you be tested for flu.

Is the flu vaccine effective and what treatments are available?

The flu vaccine is effective in helping your body protect itself against the flu virus. Getting the flu vaccine will not give you the flu.

There are drugs available that your doctor may prescribe to treat flu. Those drugs work best if started soon after symptoms begin. Your doctor can determine if you need treatment.

People who are sick with flu should be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get adequate rest, eat healthy foods, wash their hands often, and stay home to avoid spreading the flu to other people. Over the counter pain relievers may help people with the flu to feel more comfortable. Children and teens with the flu should never take aspirin, because a rare but serious disease called Reye Syndrome can occur.  Do not give cough or cold medicines to children younger than 4 years of age.