Healthy You Article – October 3, 2008

Get Those Flu Shots!
By Mary Perkins – Wellness Center Manager

One of the things I dread most about winter is flu season.  Having three children in the house, by the time the virus is passed around from one to another, and then to my husband and, finally, to me, it has overstayed its welcome and my patience is running pretty thin.  I absolutely hate shots, but I hate throwing up even more.   Here is some helpful information concerning the flu that I found on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm

What is Influenza (Also Called Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. 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 vaccination each year.
Every year in the United States, on average:
            *5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
            *more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
            *about 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of flu include:
            *fever (usually high)
            *headache
            *extreme tiredness
            *dry cough
            *sore throat
            *runny or stuffy nose
            *muscle aches
            *Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

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.

How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that 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.
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

There are two types of vaccines:
            *The "flu shot"—an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot.
            *The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.

When to Get Vaccinated
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated
People who should get vaccinated each year are:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

• Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
• Pregnant women,     
• People 50 years of age and older, and
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;       
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu.
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6  months of age.
• Healthcare workers.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These 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 Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
• Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get  vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
  
  Now is the Time to Get a Flu Shot
  Flu season is officially upon us.  North Country Health System is offering Community Flu Shot Clinics at The Wellness Center on the Crawford Farm Road in Newport.  Any adult may attend the clinic for a flu shot; they must bring their insurance card or $25.  The next clinic will be held on October 15th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Don’t let the nasty flu bug sneak up on you!

"HEALTHY YOU” is a weekly column prepared by health care providers and staff at North Country Hospital and Health System. For information or to suggest a topic for this column, please call Mary Perkins, Wellness Center Manager, 334-3226, or email mperkins@nchsi.org.