Influenza Information

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Virginia Department of Health Influenza Season Update Information

Virginia Department of Health Influenza Vaccination Guidelines

Influenza Activity in Virginia, Surveillance Program

CDC’s Influenza Website

2007-2008 Virginia Influenza Season Summary Report (Full Report)

2007-2008 Virginia Influenza Season Summary Report (Abridged Report)

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Flu Clinic Schedule

We are currently out of seasonal flu vaccine. We will update information here once we receive more vaccine.

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DID YOU KNOW? . . . WINTER VIRUSES, COLDS AND "THE FLU"

With winter and the holidays comes cold and flu season. We see different people, more people, and tend to stay in warm, confined places. All of these things can lead to more sicknesses. Often when people become ill during the winter, they assume they have "the flu." While symptoms for some of these illnesses are "flu-like," the cause may not be influenza. Here is a list of common winter symptoms and the viruses that can cause them:

Respiratory symptoms (congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat) can be caused by:

-- Influenza

-- Parainfluenza

-- Respiratory Syncytial Virus

-- Rhinoviruses ("common cold"- over 100 different types)

-- Adenoviruses

Gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea) can be caused by:

-- Rotavirus

-- Norovirus

-- Enteroviruses (may also cause respiratory symptoms)

-- Adenoviruses

-- Caliciviruses

-- Astroviruses

Only two of the viruses mentioned above (influenza and rotavirus) are currently preventable by immunization. Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, getting enough rest, staying home when ill, coughing into your elbow, and eating a well-balanced diet may decrease your chances of getting sick or passing an illness to others.

And remember, if you think you have "the flu," you may not actually have influenza!

 

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