Another year, Another Flu… what will this year bring?
Get the facts about the 2010-2011 Flu Season
It is hard to believe but it’s that time again… time to think about influenza (flu) prevention.
Each year, 5% to 20% of US residents become ill with influenza and more than 200,000 persons, on average, are hospitalized due to influenza complications, such as pneumonia. So any and all prevention strategies should be considered important, and implemented to the best of our abilities.
Every year, the CDC releases guidance for the upcoming influenza season. This year, unless contraindicated, ALL people aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine.
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are two types of flu vaccines this year:
- The "flu shot" (Fluzone) – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) is given with a needle. The seasonal flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Health care workers who care for people with severely weakened immune systems who require a protected hospital environment should get this inactivated flu vaccine, or “flu shot.”
- The nasal–spray flu vaccine – This flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 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.
The seasonal flu vaccine this year protects against the three most common types of influenza viruses. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and an H3N2 influenza virus and an influenza B virus.
And there is a new high potency flu vaccine made specifically for those 65 years of age and older. Due to age, those older than 65 have a less responsive immune system. The high potency flu vaccine, called Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza, is not mandatory. It is considered an alternative for adults over 65.
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.
Rest assured, getting vaccinated against the flu won't give you influenza. The flu shot is made of a killed virus; the mist is made of a live, but weakened strain. Both vaccines may produce mild symptoms like muscle aches and a runny nose, but these symptoms are brief and far less severe than the actual flu itself.
Pregnant women can be particularly vulnerable to flu complications, which include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and sinus infections. If you'll be pregnant during flu season, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated with the flu shot. The flu mist is not recommended for pregnant women.
While the experts recommend flu vaccinations for most people, they're not right for everyone.
Any kind of flu vaccination -- shot or mist -- may not be suitable for those with chronic health issues, severe allergies to eggs, compromised health, fever, children less than 6 months old, those who have had an allergic reaction to the flu shot previously, or people who have developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine. If any of these pertain to you, consult with a physician before getting the flu vaccine.
Effective, common sense precautions will reduce your risk of getting – or spreading – not only influenza but most other respiratory illnesses including colds, sore throats, and coughs.
- If you are ill, keep some distance between yourself and others. If you do become ill with flu symptoms (fever, cough, body aches, sneezing for instance) then you should stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours.
- Carry tissues and use them to cover your mouth and nose whenever you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissues immediately after use.
- Wash your hands often and especially when you use tissues, touch your face, or touch other people. Soap and water works fine, but alcohol-based hand rubs are more convenient.
Not sure if you should get the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine? Speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best way to protect yourself.
2010-2011 flu vaccines are available at the primary care practices of Community Care Physicians and at our Urgent Care Centers and Walk-In Care Clinic. The flu vaccine will protect you against influenza throughout the entire 2010-2011 flu season. Get protected today.
