Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal influenza, also known as the flu, is a viral illness that causes fever, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, and headaches. It is usually spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.
Most people who get the flu usually recover in one to two weeks, but the flu can be deadly. An estimated 300,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the United States.
Ohioans with developmental disabilities may be at high risk for the flu due to chronic lung conditions like asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Risk of aspiration may be increased due to difficulty swallowing, gastroesophageal reflux disease, seizure disorder, tube feeding, cerebral palsy, and suppressed or absent cough or sneeze reflex.
Get a Flu Shot
Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming season. Among adults, complications, hospitalizations, and deaths due to the flu are generally most common among those 65 years old and older.
Signs of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness. Older adults and people with other respiratory illnesses are at a higher risk for pneumonia. Common signs of pneumonia include cough, fever, trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, shaking, or chills. Call a doctor or get assistance immediately if a person is experiencing signs of pneumonia.
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