Let’s test your flu knowledge! How long can someone carry the influenza virus before showing any symptoms? Is it 2 hours? 8 hours? 12 hours? 24 hours? The answer may surprise you. But first, we’d like to have a quick refresher on what the flu is, symptoms of the flu and why it’s important to get vaccinated this year.

According to the CDC, influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the 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.

“Influenza is a little bit different from a lot of other upper respiratory infections because it often comes on very suddenly,” said Nicole Iovine, M.D., Ph.D., hospital epidemiologist for UF Health Shands Hospital and UF College of Medicine associate professor of infectious disease and global medicine. “People sometimes say ‘I was feeling fine, but then after lunch I had the chills, shakes and I felt terrible.’ That’s pretty characteristic of influenza infection.”

“People who even have a little bit of a slower onset will often times get worse quite rapidly, and that’s pretty different than the common cold,” Iovine said.

Other symptoms of flu include fatigue, coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose and fever. You may also experience body aches, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Influenza remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and is particularly dangerous for patients more susceptible to serious flu illness, including babies, young children, seniors and people with certain chronic health conditions. We have a responsibility to protect our patients, visitors and each other by making sure we are immunized against the flu.

So back to the original question — A person can carry the flu virus for 24 hours without showing any symptoms. That means for an entire day, you could potentially pass the flu on to your patients, visitors or another co-worker without knowing until it’s too late. Because of this, getting a flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu.

We saw record numbers of positive flu cases last year at UF Health, so now more than ever, it is important to take action and get your flu vaccination.

“By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself, but you protect our patients and visitors in our hospitals and outpatient programs,” said Irene Alexaitis, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, UF Health Shands Hospital chief nursing officer and Nursing and Patient Services vice president. “After facing a challenging flu season last year, it is important to take all necessary precautions in order to prevent that from occurring again. Getting your flu shot is the first step.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT BRIDGE.UFHEALTH.ORG/FLU OR SHCC.UFL.EDU/FLU.

Getting your flu vaccination at UF Health is easy. Beginning Sept. 5, the following workers are eligible for a no-cost flu shot — no appointment needed — through UF Health Shands Occupational Health, or OHS, located at UF Health Shands Hospital, Room 1004:

• UF Health Shands employees and volunteers
• UF Health Physicians employees
• UF College of Medicine faculty, physicians, residents and fellows
• Credentialed ARNPs
• Credentialed physician assistants
• Credentialed medical staff

ID BADGE REQUIRED TO RECEIVE FLU SHOT

In September and October, OHS will co-host several flu vaccination events with the UF Student Health Care Center in the UF Health Shands Hospital Atrium, Room 1205 in the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, and the UF Health Heart & Vascular and Neuromedicine hospitals lobby, adjacent to the information desk. Staff members are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to be vaccinated at one of these events. At co-hosted events, all UF College of Medicine faculty, staff and students can also receive a no-cost flu vaccination with an ID badge and insurance card.

OHS will also provide flu vaccinations at dozens of satellite locations. See a calendar of flu vaccination events on Flu Central at Bridge.UFHealth.org/flu.

If you belong to one of the groups listed and choose to get a flu vaccination from a provider outside UF Health or UF, you’ll be asked to provide documentation of proof of vaccination to obtain a vaccination sticker for your ID badge.

Beginning Oct. 31, those who choose to opt out of receiving the vaccination for medical, religious or personal reasons will be required to follow a formal opt-out process and wear a mask in patient care areas.

Visit Flu Central at Bridge.UFHealth.org/flu to see a calendar of flu vaccination events.