The document discusses the influenza virus and the flu vaccine. It provides details on the history and types of flu, symptoms, treatments, and the process used to develop the annual flu vaccine. The vaccine is considered the most effective prevention method, though its ability to protect depends on factors like the match between the vaccine's viral strain and the circulating strain. On campus, flu shots are available through a clinic run by Emergicare where students can get vaccinated using insurance or pay cash.

1. The Flu Vaccine
By: Brooke DiCicco, Tucker Clatterbuck, Kayla Darr,
and Anissa Boyers

2. What is the Flu?
● Flu is short for Influenza.
● Flu - any of several of virus diseases marked especially by respiratory and/or
intestinal symptoms.
● The first recordings of influenza are in 1580. The disease is said to have started in
Russia and spread through Europe and Africa. However, many believe influenza has
been around since the 3rd century due to Hippocrates’ detailed journal.
● The first major outbreak was recorded in 1580 in Russia.
● The outbreak of 1880-1883. Infected ¼ of those exposed.
● 1918 Pandemic. Most lethal. Estimated deaths are around
● 50-100 million

3. Current Statistics of the Flu
● On average, anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 people die of the flu each year in the
United States.
● On average, anywhere from 291,000 to 646,000 worldwide die from the flu.
● The flu is still very much a problematic disease that is very likely to occur in today’s
society. With technology and medical research far more advanced, the flu is less of a
threat than in the past.

4. The Different Types of Influenza
● Type A - capable of infecting animals and humans. Wild birds are a common animal
host. Most common in the sense that it is one of two strains that make up the annual
flu outbreaks. Causes pandemics.
● Type B - Only found in humans. Most common and is the other strain that causes the
annual flu outbreak. Does not cause pandemics.
● Type C - Consists of mild upper respiratory symptoms. Cold-like symptoms. Not as
severe as strain A and B. No vaccine available.

5. How Does the Flu Virus Spread?
● The Influenza virus spreads throughout the body one individual cell at a time.
● The virus binds to the receptor proteins of healthy cell, allowing it to enter and use
the cell’s organelles and inject its DNA and RNA to replicate itself.
● When cells divide, they will replicate the virus, further spreading the infection.

6. Flu Symptoms
● Fever
● Cough
● Sore Throat
● Runny Nose
● Body or Muscle Aches
● Headaches
● Fatigue
● Uncomplicated flu illness usually lasts 3-7 days. (This means that there are no
complications due to previous health issues or you are hospitalized due to serious
issues relating to the virus.)

7. Flu Symptoms Versus Cold Symptoms
Flu Cold
Fever 101.0 or higher usually under 101.0
Body aches usual often severe slight
Chills fairly common uncommon
Fatigue moderate to severe mild
Coughing dry unproductive cough hacking productive cough
Sneezing uncommon common
Stuffy nose often severe common
Runny nose common common
Chest congestion mild
Headache uncommon

8. Treatments for the Flu
Because influenza is a virus, it cannot be treated with
antibiotics.

9. Treatment Options to Ease the Symptoms of the Flu
● The flu lasts about 5-7 days, but symptoms can linger for a week or two.
● Drink plenty of fluid to loosen and break up any build up and secretions.
● Get plenty of rest.
● Take over the counter medications based on symptoms.

10. Antiviral Medications
● Because the flu is a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics, doctors may prescribe
an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir
(Relenza)

11. The Flu Vaccination
Perhaps the most effective treatment option for the flu
is preventing it.

12. What is the Flu Vaccination?
The flu vaccine works, although there are factors that affect it.
● The strain of flu
● Is the person healthy
● age
● The match between the virus and the virus the vaccine was produced from.
Early vaccination methods in history
● 1918 “Spanish flu” outbreak.
● 1931 viral growth in hen eggs made vaccine production possible.

13. This is the process to make a flu vaccine.

14. How Does the Flu Vaccination Protect You From
Getting the Flu?
How scientists determine which strand of the virus to vaccinate with
● Every two years the CDC issues a vaccine.
● They take data gathered from the previous year and modify the vaccine.
● In 2012 the Quadrivalent vaccine(nasal) was passed by the FDA.
● The shot is the most used today as it is not a live virus and will not make you ill.

15. The Importance of Getting the Flu Vaccination
● In College, its almost even more important to get the flu shot. As Paige French
worded it, it’s like kindergarten all over again. We have to adjust to this new
atmosphere and get used to these new bacterias as we are surrounded by all these new
people in small rooms and buildings so these illnesses can spread faster.
● The vaccine is developed by a guess of what strain of flu will be active in the United
States each year. The strain is not the same annually and they only make one version
of the flu shot a year. Although all this is true, it is still important to get the flu shot so
your body can still have the ability to fight off the disease to an extent.
● You should get a flu shot once a year around October in order for the flu shot to be
effective the entirety of the flu season. The flu shot usually wears off about 6 months
later but they do not recommend you to get another one until right before flu season.

16. Flu Vaccinations On Campus
On Campus, Emergicare comes onto campus and does a flu shot clinic. You bring your
insurance card with you and they bill your insurance. Most insurance companies cover the
flu shot. If you don’t have insurance, there is a cash pay.

17. Works Cited
● Santhanam, Laura. “CDC Says More People Die of Influenza Worldwide than Some Experts Have Estimated.” PBS, Public
Broadcasting Service, 13 Dec. 2017, www.pbs.org/newshour/health/cdc-says-more-people-die-of-influenza-worldwide-than-
who-estimated.
● Nordqvist, Christian. “Pandemics: Past, Present, and Future.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 May 2018,
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148945.php.
● Why can't we beat viruses? (2013, January 24). Retrieved October 02, 2018, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/21143412
● How effective is the flu vaccine, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm