WHAT IS INFLUENZA?

Influenza - the flu - is familiar to all of us. It's so common, in fact, that we often forget how serious it can be.
Influenza is an acute viral respiratory infection which can cause mild to severe disease1. It spreads easily from person to person2 including at home, at school, at work and other crowded areas such as at the supermarket or on the train to name a few.

Each year, influenza causes 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness around the world and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths2. Since 2010, up to 61,000 deaths every year in the U.S. are estimated to be the result of Influenza3. In the United States alone influenza results in a high burden of flu:

  • 9.3 - 45 million

    illnesses estimated annually since 20103

  • >16.5 million

    medical visits in 2018-19
    flu season3

  • 91 million

    lost schooldays4

Seasonal Influenza

CSL Seqirus is on the front line of influenza protection, helping guard against costly and life-threatening epidemics. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza2.

More dangerous than you might think

Most people who get sick with influenza will have a mild illness. Some people, however, are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes death. High risk groups include people over 65 years of age and older, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and severe asthma. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. Individuals 65 years and older are at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Influenza can also make certain chronic health conditions worse.5

Our bodies and the influenza virus are in a never-ending race. As our immune system evolves to avoid infection, the virus adapts to evade our immune system. Influenza spreads best when temperatures and humidity are low, so the flu season coincides with the winter months in all different parts of the globe. This is why we need new influenza vaccines each influenza season - and why we are always working to stay ahead of the mutating virus.

Learn more about influenza, its continued impact on humankind, and flu vaccines at Flu.com, a website sponsored by CSL Seqirus. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How can I prevent the spread of influenza?

  The most effective way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated2 every year. 

There are additional steps to help protect yourself against influenza:6

1. Avoid close contact. 
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick. 
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose. 
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands. 
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits. 
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
  
What are the types of influenza vaccines?

 

In the U.S., quadrivalent influenza vaccine is the most commonly available, which is designed to protect against four different influenza viruses in circulation; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. There are a number of quadrivalent influenza vaccines including standard dose, egg-based without adjuvant, cell-based technology quads, high dose quad, recombinant high-dose quad, and quadrivalent live-attenuated nasal spray7. There is also adjuvanted influenza vaccine. An adjuvant is an ingredient that is added to an influenza the vaccine to help produce a stronger protective immune response8. Traditional trivalent influenza vaccines protect against three influenza virus strains7; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. For trivalent, there are high-dose trivalent and adjuvanted trivalent vaccines. Speak to your doctor about which vaccine is right for you.

  
How does an influenza vaccine work?

  The influenza vaccine is designed to help protect you during the current influenza season.  A new influenza vaccination is needed every influenza season9.
  
How often is the influenza vaccine recommended?

  The CDC recommends an annual influenza vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.  Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding who should not get an influenza vaccine and about which vaccine might be right for you9.  
Will an influenza vaccination give me influenza?

  No. Injectable influenza vaccines are inactivated and do not contain the live virus, so cannot cause influenza9.  
How does influenza spread?

  Influenza is highly contagious. An otherwise healthy adult may be able to infect other people as early as 1 day before symptoms develop and as long as 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may remain contagious for longer than 7 days.10

Influenza can be spread to others up to around 6 feet away10. It's widely believed that influenza viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. In addition, it is possible to acquire influenza by touching a surface or object with influenza virus on it and then touching your own mouth or nose. 		 
What are the different ways to treat influenza?

  Most people who catch influenza have a mild illness that does not require medical care or antiviral drugs. In most cases, if you develop influenza symptoms, stay at home and avoid contact with other people if possible, except to get medical care.11
If, however, you have symptoms of influenza and are in a high risk group (including young children, pregnant women, people 65 years of age and older, or people with certain medical conditions), or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your doctor or health care provider.		  
What are the complications of influenza?

  Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than two weeks. However, some people may develop influenza complications that can result in hospitalization and be potentially life-threatening. For example, influenza-related complications can include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections, to name a few. Influenza can worsen certain chronic health problems. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have influenza or people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of the condition triggered by influenza12.
  

 

Consumers should contact their healthcare professional for further advice.

Drs with clipboard - CSL site

Report an Adverse Event

To report a suspected side effect or adverse event, for CSL Seqirus products in the United States contact:
Phone: +1 855 358 8966
Email: us.medicalinformation@seqirus.com

Or VAERS – Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
Phone: 1-800-822-7967 or
Visit: https://vaers.hhs.gov/

Visit our Report an Adverse Event page for more information.

Learn more
Multiple vials

Pandemic Response Solutions™

When it comes to the next influenza pandemic, experts agree it’s not a matter of if, but when. CSL Seqirus partners with governments around the world to prepare for pandemic threats, with our portfolio of pandemic vaccines and our manufacturing facilities ever-ready for rapid response.

Learn more
  1. Centers for Disease Control. About Flu. Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html (Accessed August 2020)
  2. World Health Organization. Influenza (Seasonal) Fact Sheet, January 2018. Available online: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal) (Accessed August 2020)
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Disease Burden of Influenza. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/burden.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  4. Walgreens 2013 Flu Impact Report. (2013) Retrieved from http://www.multivu.com/players/English/62923-walgreens-flu-season2013/links/62923-2013-Flu-Impact-Survey-10-11-13.pdf (Accessed August 2020)
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at high Risk for Flu Complications.  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza (flu). Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm (Accessed August 2020).
  7. Centers for Disease Control. Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine, Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/quadrivalent.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccine with Adjuvant. Found at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/adjuvant.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza (flu). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Found at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm (Accessed August 2020).
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, How Flu Spreads. Found at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Flu: What To Do If You Get Sick found at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm (Accessed August 2020)
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Flu Symptoms & Complications. Found at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/symptoms.htm (Accessed August 2020)

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