According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, 25-50 million Americans get the flu each year. Of those, about 500,000 are hospitalized due to complications. There are tens of thousands of flu-associated deaths each year as well. It is essential for everyone to know how to recognize the symptoms of the flu, as well as how to treat it, when to go to the doctor, and how to prevent from getting it again.
Learning Objectives
- Define influenza, or the "flu"
- Identify the primary types of the flu
- Describe the "flu season"
- Identify primary symptoms of the flu
- List possible complications of the flu
- Identify who is most at risk for flu complications
- Describe how the flu is commonly spread
- Describe how to manage the flu at home and when to go to the doctor
- List treatments for the flu
- Identify flu prevention steps