Update on Flu Vaccinations

The flu (influenza) is a respiratory illness that is very contagious and caused by the influenza viruses. Sometimes the illness is very mild but at times it can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu from spreading is to get your seasonal flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that each year anywhere from 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people every year are hospitalized due to flu-related illnesses and/or complications and about 36,000 people die from flu related reasons. The people at the highest risk are the elderly, young children, and people with specific health conditions. The CDC warns that this year could possibly be the worst year we have seen because of the new strain of flu called the H1N1 flu.

Seasonal flu symptoms include fever (sometimes high), headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, and stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (these stomach symptoms are more common in children than adults).

The seasonal flu spreads from person to person through coughing and sneezing. At times it is spread by touching something that has the infection. People with the virus are contagious even if it is before symptoms begin or after they are gone.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. Other prevention tools according to the CDC are: Avoid close contact with those who are ill. When you are ill, stay home and stay away from other people. Cover your mouth and nose. Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, dispose of it and then WASH YOUR HANDS. This is a huge key. Germs are spread when you touch something contaminated and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Get plenty of rest, exercise, nutrition and fluids. Stress prevention is also a great tool.

It is very wise for all children from 6 months old to 19 years to get vaccinated. The CDC says that this is one of the major groups of people who should definitely get this vaccine. Some cases of the flu start going around in October but most hit around January. If you have not yet gotten seasonal flu vaccines for your children or yourself it is not too late. But, you may have to call around and put some effort into finding a place that has the vaccine available.

For H1N1 the largest "target groups" that need the vaccine first are (according to the CDC): Pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants 6 months old or younger, health care providers, people 6 months old to 24 years old and people 25 to 64 years old who have medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk for complications due to H1N1.

All public school are advocates of these vaccines for students and teachers alike. If you have children in any kind of school setting you need to consider finding a vaccination location and getting your kids what they need to fight off these viruses.