If you ever had the flu, you know it’s not something nice to experience 
Plus the fact that nobody wants to get within a 10 feet radius of you, makes it a lonely, not-nice experience, lol. And with the start of the flu season not too far away, we have 10 Key Facts About Influenza from the Center of Disease Control to help limit the spread of the lonely, not-nice virus 
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1. What is influenza (also called flu)?- The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
2. Signs and symptoms of flu- People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (very tired)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
3. How flu spreads- Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
4. Period of contagiousness- You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.
5. How serious is the flu?- Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including: (1) what flu viruses are spreading, (2) how much flu vaccine is available, (3) when vaccine is available, (4) how many people get vaccinated, and (5) how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness.
Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes.
Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
6. Complications of flu- Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
7. Preventing seasonal flu: Get vaccinated- The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are two types of flu vaccines:
- “Flu shots” — inactivated vaccines (containing killed virus) that are given with a needle. There are three flu shots being produced for the United States market now.
- The regular seasonal flu shot is “intramuscular” which means it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Regular flu shots make up the bulk of the vaccine supply produced for the United States.
- A hi-dose vaccine for people 65 and older which also is intramuscular. This vaccine was first made available during the 2010-2011 season.
- An intradermal vaccine for people 18 to 64 years of age which is injected with a needle into the “dermis” or skin. This vaccine is being made available for the first time for the 2011-2012 season.
- The nasal–spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.
8. When to get vaccinated against seasonal flu- Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu season can begin early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later.
9. Who should get vaccinated?- Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.
10. Who should not be vaccinated against seasonal flu?- Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- People who developed Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
- Children younger than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health care provider.
For more info about the cooties, lol, aka Flu, visit the CDC’s website here.
Happy “Not Being Contagious” Ladies!! xx
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Calling all writers…
Last Columbus Day, I decided to make the holiday about new beginnings. So I know it’s been forever since I posted anything on Dynamo. And you were probably thinking that you could be posting articles if I’m not, lol. Or maybe that was just me
Today in celebration of new beginnings, I’m excited to announce that my friend and Dynamo Erin will be joining the editorial team. I’ve known Erin since JHS and though life has brought us far apart and close together, she’s always been the friend just up the block. No she literally lives like a block away though, lol. Of course, Erin and I are only two women from Brooklyn. We would like to see Dynamos and Alpha Males from all communities post on Dynamo!! And in the good old American fashion, WE WANT YOU!! 
We are looking for writers whose specialty include, but isn’t limited to:
Send all posts to info@dynamomagazine.com. All submissions will be credited to the author. Over at Chewstick.org, they had the perfect submission guidelines:
If you’re not up to sending a whole post just yet
, do not forget that you can also submit whatever inspires you to “Morning Inspiration” at inspiration@dynamomagazine.com or a topic for “Fast Facts On:” at fastfacts@dynamomagazine.com. Or if you want to be a nice friend, nominate someone to be featured as the weekly “Alpha Male” at alphamale@dynamomagazine.com or Dynamo “On That Independent Shit” at independent@dynamomagazine.com!
Don’t hesitate to hit up myself or Erin with any further inquires at shari@dynamomagazine.com or erin@dynamomagazine.com.
Happy “Spreading the word and being heard on Dynamo” Ladies!!
xx