What is the flu?
Influenza, commonly called "the flu", is an infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways, and lungs) caused by the influenza virus. Two types of influenza virus, A and B, cause the flu. Although flu is similar in some ways to the common cold, it begins suddenly and symptoms are much more severe than those of a cold.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The incubation period from time of exposure to the onset of symptoms ranges from 1-4 days. Symptoms usually begin suddenly with high temperature (100 degrees or more), muscle aches, headache, dry cough, and weakness. Sore throat and stuffy nose also may occur. Severe symptoms including fever often last for 3 to 5 days and symptoms such as cough, weakness, and fatigue may persist for several weeks.
How is flu spread?
The influenza virus is very contagious and easily spread from infected persons to others around them. Most commonly when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets of moisture containing the virus are released into the air to infect others. A person with the flu continues to be infectious for 3 to 4 days after symptoms begin. People with the flu should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to reduce the number of infectious droplets they release into the air.
Can I avoid getting the flu? Where can I get vaccinated?
The most effective way of preventing the flu is getting the influenza vaccine each year. Vaccination prevents 70-90% of infections in healthy young adults. It takes up to 2 weeks after vaccination to develop immunity, so it's best to get vaccinated before flu season begins. Vaccination is strongly recommended for everyone at increased risk of influenza complications including those with underlying heart or lung problems including asthma, other chronic medical conditions that may interfere with immunity including diabetes, and those over age 65.
What do computers tell us about flu outbreaks?
Scientists are using computer simulations of mathematical models to investigate how infectious diseases like influenza emerge and spread through large populations of people. Computer simulations allow experts to test the impact of different public health interventions on the spread of infectious agents like viruses through large populations.
What is policy informatics?
Policy informatics is a new field that merges computation and decisionmaking. It provides tools, models, and simulations to help individuals and groups make and evaluate policy decisions.
What is MIDAS?
The Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) group unites research and informatics groups to develop computational models for pandemic influenza. More information on MIDAS is available at https://www.epimodels.org/midas/about.do
