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Preparing
for Flu Season
Without Flu Vaccine
Before
we know it, the leaves will be gone in a blaze of glory, temperatures
will drop, and "The Holidays" will arrive. Unfortunately,
along with the crunchy leaves, Thanksgiving turkey, holiday
meals, beautifully wrapped gifts, and inspiring music, comes
Flu Season!
This
year, in light of the announcement that Chiron will not be able
to supply Influenza Vaccine for the 2004-2005 Influenza Season,
Flu Season will be especially challenging. Because flu vaccine
is in short supply this year, it is important that flu vaccine
be given to people most likely to suffer complications from
the flu:
All
children 6 - 23 months of age, everyone 65 years of age and
older, pregnant women, everyone 6 months of age and older with
chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes,
weakened immune systems, etc., and people who live the same
house or take care of an infant younger than 6 months of age
and health care workers who have direct contact with patients.
Healthy
people who are not at risk for complications from the flu should
not get flu vaccine this year. We need the help of everyone
to make sure that the limited amount of flu vaccine goes to
those who truly need it most.
According
to the Center for Disease Control, Influenza - also known as
the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus.
It attacks the respiratory tract - the nose, throat and lungs
in humans - and is different than a cold. When influenza strikes,
it comes on suddenly and may include the following symptoms:
fever, headache, fatigue (sometimes extreme), dry cough, sore
throat, nasal congestion and body aches. In the United States,
10 to 20% of the population gets the flu each year. Anyone can
get the flu - even healthy people - and most people will recover
in one to two weeks.
The flu is spread when a person who has it coughs, sneezes,
or speaks and sends flu virus into the air where other people
then inhale the virus. The virus then enters the nose, throat
or lungs of the person and begins to multiply, causing the symptoms
to begin. Influenza may also - but less commonly - be spread
when a person touches a surface that has flu virus on it and
then touches his or her nose or mouth.
The flu is very contagious and a person can spread the virus
starting one day before he or she feels sick. Adults continue
to pass the virus to others for another three to seven days
after symptoms begin. Children can pass the virus for longer
than seven days. It is important that those infected stay at
home until their symptoms abate to avoid spreading the virus
to co-workers, friends and neighbors.
Your respiratory illness is most likely the flu if you have
sudden onset of body aches, fever, respiratory symptoms, and
your illness occurs in the period between November and April.
(Flu can be caught at any time, but that is the usual flu season
in the Northern Hemisphere).
Simple
steps you can take to protect yourself
and
your loved ones:
-
Wash
your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol based
hand rub or gel frequently, especially after visiting public
places or being in contact with anyone with a cold or the
flu. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
-
Cover
your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Turn your head (never
cough in the direction of someone else) and cough or sneeze
into a tissue. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze
into the inside of your elbow.
-
Do
not take young children, those with immune system problems
or the chronically ill into large crowds unnecessarily when
the flu is in your community.
-
Avoid
close contact (holding, hugging and kissing) with anyone who
has a cold or the flu. Be very careful with children, as they
are most likely to become sick with the flu.
-
Stay
home from work or school and avoid public activities for at
least 5 days (7 days for children) if you have symptoms of
the flu.
-
Do
not share items that can spread germs and viruses, like drinking
cups, straws, or other items that you put in your mouth.
-
Clean
things that are touched often in household, classroom and
child care settings: door or refrigerator handles, phones,
water faucets etc.
What
to do if you have the flu:
- Rest
in bed
- Drink
lots of fluids
- Take
non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol)
or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin, etc.) Children and teens with
the flu should never take aspirin as they may develop a rare,
but serious disease called Reye syndrome.
- Stay
home and avoid public activities until your symptoms are resolved
(usually 5-7 days)
You
should see a health care provider or go to an emergency room
immediately if you have any of the symptoms below:
-
Severe
or prolonged flu symptoms
-
Rapid
or labored breathing or bluish skin
-
Pain
or difficulty breathing
-
Becoming
sick again with fever and/or a worse cough after flu symptoms
have improved.
-
Not
drinking enough fluids
-
Cough
with yellow sputum or phlegm.
Parents
should seek immediate medical attention for children who are
not waking up or interacting with others or are so irritable
that they do not want to be held.
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