Time For The Yearly Flu Vaccine
Indian
summer is here in all its glory. Usually
the best weather in Sonoma County. It
seems too early to worry about the flu.
But flu season is just around the corner. And the flu vaccine is already available. The
flu season is from November to April, with most cases occurring between late
December and early March. But by getting
the shot before the flu season is in full force, the body has a chance to build
up immunity to the flu virus. It takes about six weeks after getting the flu
shot to be fully protected.
So now is a good time to get your annual flu
shot and avoid the misery of flu symptoms later this
winter.
winter.
If you
haven’t had the flu lately, you may have forgotten just how miserable it can
make you feel. But there’s more to fear than fever, fatigue, and nagging aches
and pains. From 5% to 20% of the US population gets the flu every year, with
200,000 hospitalized and 36,000 deaths.
Who Should Typically Get the Flu Shot?
Health officials recommend that all adults and
children over age 6 months of age, with few exceptions, get a flu vaccine. The
goal is to stop the spread of the flu by vaccinating everyone, particularly
children. The highest rate of flu is found with school age children, who then
spread the disease to the more vulnerable age groups, the elderly and the
young.
Certain
individuals are high risk for flu symptoms and should most definitely get a
yearly flu vaccine.
High-risk individuals included:
* High-risk children – check with your pediatrician
* Everyone 50 years of age or older
* Pregnant women
* Those who have chronic lung or heart disorders [Among people with
heart disease, flu can lead to viral or bacterial pneumonia that can trigger
potentially deadly heart-related complications.]
* Those who have chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, kidney
disease, severe anemia, or immune deficiency (including HIV/AIDS)
* Residents of nursing homes and other facilities that care for people
with chronic medical conditions
* Health care workers and other employees of hospitals and nursing homes
* Police, firefighters, and other public safety workers
* Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of anyone in any of the
high-risk groups
People who should not get a flu
shot include:
* Anyone with a fever
* Anyone who's severely allergic to eggs and egg products (ingredients
for flu shots are grown inside eggs)
* Infants under 6 months old
* Anyone who's ever had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination (although
most people do not experience any side effects from the flu shot)
* Anyone with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare condition that
affects the immune system and nerves
How the Flu Shot Works
Given as an injection, the flu shot contains
killed flu viruses that will not cause the flu, but will prepare the body to
fight off infection by the live flu virus. Getting a shot of the killed virus
means a person is protected against that particular type of live flu virus when
he/she makes contact with a contagious individual.
The flu
shot is needed yearly. The flu
protection wears off yearly since the flu virus is constantly changing. That's
why the vaccine is updated each year to include the most current strains of the
virus.
The flu
vaccine reduces the average person's chances of catching the flu by up to 80%
during the season. Because the vaccine only prevents infection with some of the
common yearly viruses that can cause flu-like symptoms, it isn't a 100%
guarantee against getting sick. However, usually the flu symptoms will be
fewer, short lasting and milder after a flu shot.
Side Effects
Most
people do not experience any side effects from the flu shot. Some of those
vaccinated may have soreness or swelling at the site of the injection or mild
side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever. Although these side effects may last for a
day, the flu can make you seriously sick for 2 to 3 weeks or longer. Also
serious complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and
other respiratory problems can occur from the flu. Rarely, will the flu shot
cause serious side effects. The
occurrence of complications from the flu itself is a much greater risk.
A common
myth about the flu shot is that it can actually cause the flu. But the flu shot
used in the United States is made from killed influenza viruses, which means
that it's impossible to catch the flu by receiving it.
Flu Vaccine Without A Shot
A
non-shot option, the nasal mist vaccine, is now available as a flu
vaccine. However, it contains weakened
live flu viruses, so it is not for people with weakened immune systems or
certain health conditions. The nasal mist vaccine is only for healthy,
non-pregnant people between the ages of 2 and 49 years. Check with your doctor
to see if you or your child can — or should — get this type of flu vaccine.
Since the nasal spray flu vaccine is made from live viruses, it may cause mild
flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, and
fever.
Other Ways to Prevent the Flu From Spreading
There's
no guaranteed way — including being vaccinated — to prevent anyone from getting
the flu. But precautions that can help protect you and your family include:
* Avoiding large crowds whenever possible
* Practicing good hand washing
* Never picking up used tissues
* Never sharing cups and eating utensils
* Staying home from work or school when someone is sick with the flu
* Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Other Vaccinations
* Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping
cough)
* Measles, mumps, rubella
* Chickenpox
* Pneumococcal
* Hepatitis A
* Hepatitis B
* Meningococcal
Contact your physician for more
details regarding your vaccination needs.
Bottom
line: One of the best ways to protect
your health is with a yearly flu vaccine and keeping up with ten-year booster
vaccinations. I have been getting the flu
shot every year for the past 25 years and I have rarely been sick, even though
I am in close quarters with people everyday.
Enjoy Life and Keep Smiling!
George Malkemus has had a Family and Cosmetic Dental
Practice in Rohnert Park for over 27 years.
2 Padre Parkway, Suite 200
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
http://www.malkemusdds.com/
2 Padre Parkway, Suite 200
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
http://www.malkemusdds.com/
(707)585-8595
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