Influenza

What is it?

• Influenza (the flu) is a viral disease of the respiratory tract
• Symptoms include fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nasal congestion and sore throat
• Cough is severe and may last 2 or more weeks; most other symptoms resolve in 5‐7 days

How is it spread?

• Influenza is spread by droplets and contact
• Droplet spread occurs when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes into another person’s eyes, nose or mouth
• Influenza is spread in the environment when people cough or sneeze onto surfaces, or touch surfaces with
contaminated hands
• The virus can survive for hours on solid surfaces such as doorknobs and telephone handsets
• The virus can be picked up when someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose or
mouth
• Influenza exposure risk increases in areas where people live in close contact, such as in long‐term care facilities

Where is it found?

• Influenza is found in the respiratory tract of humans
• Animals, mostly birds and pigs, are natural reservoirs of influenza virus
• Influenza can be found in the environment for up to 48 hours on some surfaces
• Areas with low temperature and low humidity allow influenza to survive on solid surfaces for a longer period of time

Prevention and control:

• Clean hands well and often with alcohol‐based hand rub or soap and water
• Instruct residents and staff to cough into a tissue or their sleeve and clean their hands after sneezing or coughing
• Offer staff and clients/patients/residents the flu shot every year before the flu season begins
• Provide a private room for patients/residents if possible, otherwise, use spacing between beds to prevent
transmission
• Use droplet and contact precautions (in addition to routine practices) when caring for anyone with a new or worsening cough and/or fever, or anyone confirmed or suspected of having influenza
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces on a regular basis to reduce risk of contact exposure from influenza