How is Influenza Transmitted? And Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu

By Patsy Hamilton

As the cold and flu season approaches in the northern hemisphere, people have many questions about the bugs, including “how is influenza transmitted” and questions about how influenza vaccine works to help prevent outbreaks of the flu. The peak of the flu season in the United States is from December to March. Vaccinations for seasonal flu usually begin in the fall. Here we provide the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the flu and the flu shot.

How is influenza transmitted?

It is believed that the common strains of influenza are transmitted from one person to another by coughing and sneezing. When an infected person coughs or sneezes (and does not cover his/her mouth) the viruses fly into the air along with mucus, saliva and other secretions. It takes a while for these microscopic particles to settle, so for several minutes, they are airborne. Another person can become infected by inhaling the airborne particles or touching a surface that has been contaminated with them. When the particles are airborne, it is difficult to avoid them without wearing a surgical mask or other device that filters out the viruses. Avoiding becoming infected by touching contaminated surfaces is easily avoidable by washing the hands before touching the face, mouth, nose or eyes. The virus must enter the respiratory system, before an infection can occur. Influenza viruses cannot enter the body through the skin.

Do animals get the flu?

Yes, but the influenza viruses that affect birds and other animals are different from those that infect humans.

How is influenza transmitted from animals to humans?

Usually, the viruses that infect animals and birds do not infect humans, but in some cases, as with the strain that is currently circulating in Asia and commonly referred to as “bird flu”, it does happen. The majority of the cases of human infection with bird flu have resulted from handling sick or dead birds or contact with feces and other excrements of sick birds. Rarely is the disease believed to have been transmitted by human to human contact and only among close family members, who lived in the same house with a sick person, who was originally infected by handling or caring for sick poultry.

How does the flu shot work?

Questions about how influenza vaccine works can only be adequately answered if you first understand a little bit about the function of the human immune system. The immune system is divided into functions that are considered to be innate and those that are considered to be acquired. You are born with innate immunities. Acquired immunities are those that, as the name implies, we acquire over time by being exposed to different viruses and other microbes that can cause infection. How influenza vaccine works is by allowing cells of the immune system to identify the virus, without actually becoming infected with the virus. This is a very simplified explanation, but we hope that it helps answer your questions.

For more information about how is influenza transmitted and how to boost your immune system strength, please visit our website at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in healthcare and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide.