Flu Season Resources

September 16th, 2016

It's flu season again. Are you ready?

Flu is unpredictable and highly contagious. While flu spreads every year, the timing, severity and duration of each flu season varies.

As you prepare for flu season, browse our resources to learn about the spread of flu and best practices for flu prevention and treatment.

We've also included information on how Tamiflu^® (oseltamivir), an FDA-approved medication to treat people 2 weeks of age and older, may help those with flu symptoms and the role it may play this season. Explore the resources below and download our media kit to the right for supporting materials.

Note: this page is intended for media.

News in brief

• While the numbers vary, in the United States, millions of people get sick from the flu and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized for seasonal flu related complications
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. If you or a child you care for gets the flu, ask your doctor about prescription flu medicines
• The flu comes on suddenly. Common symptoms to look out for include fever, headache, muscle and body aches, fatigue and cough
• Children may experience additional symptoms not as common in adults, including vomiting and diarrhea

Downloads

Educational Flu Resources

Infographic: Pediatric Flu
Influenza (flu) is different from a common cold and can be more severe for children. Know what to do if your child is experiencing flu symptoms.

Infographic: Break the Sick Cycle
While the flu is highly contagious, there are ways to help protect yourself. Act quickly and break the sick cycle if you suspect the flu.

Animation: How Flu Spreads
Ever wonder how the flu virus spreads throughout your body? Watch as it invades healthy cells and replicates to cause flu symptoms.

Tamiflu Resources

Animation: How Tamiflu Works
Watch as the antiviral flu medicine Tamiflu attacks the flu virus and blocks the release of newly formed viruses and helps stop the virus from spreading.

Infographic: About Tamiflu
Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral medicine used to treat the flu in people 2 weeks of age and older.

Indications

Tamiflu is a prescription medicine used to treat the flu (influenza) in people 2 weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for no more than 2 days. Tamiflu can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in people 1 year and older.

Tamiflu does not prevent bacterial infections that may happen with the flu.

Tamiflu is not recommended for people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are not receiving dialysis.

Tamiflu is not a substitute for an annual flu vaccination.

Do not take Tamiflu if you are allergic to oseltamivir phosphate or any of the ingredients in Tamiflu.