On Nov. 23 New Island Hospital in conjunction with Nassau County University Medical Center and the Department of Health provided 250 local residents with flu and pneumonia immunizations.

Influenza, or flu, is an acute respiratory infection caused by a variety of influenza viruses. Viruses that cause flu spread primarily from person to person, especially by coughing and sneezing (via airborne droplets of respiratory fluids). Flu viruses can enter the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. After a person has been infected with the virus, symptoms usually appear within two to four days. The infection is considered contagious for another three to four days after symptoms appear.

Flu is usually signaled by headache, chills, and dry cough, which is followed rapidly by body aches and fever. Typically, the fever starts declining on the second or third day of the illness. It is then that the upper respiratory symptoms become noticeable -- nasal congestion and sore throat.

Pneumonia is a general term for a lung infection that can make it difficult for you to breathe. In most people it is easily treated at home and does not cause permanent lung damage. However, in adults older than 65, infants, and people who have other diseases, especially lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it can be serious and may need to be treated in the hospital. Bacterial pneumonia is pneumonia caused by bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. You should get the pneumococcal vaccine if you are over age 65, have a chronic illness, such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, have HIV or AIDS, have a weak immune system from another cause, such as from certain kidney diseases and some cancers, or have had your spleen removed or are taking medicines, such as prednisone that weaken the immune system.

Viral pneumonia is pneumonia caused by a virus. About half of all people with pneumonia have viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is usually less serious than bacterial pneumonia and can take from two to four weeks to recover.