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Category: Risk/Priority Groups
Posted December 2, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
With the flu season upon us, more confirmed cases of flu are popping up across the country. This also means that during this time of holiday hustle-and-bustle, the chances of coming in contact with flu-causing germs can also increase.
In addition to getting your flu shot, it’s important to continually take measures to protect you and your loved ones from getting the flu and understand what you can do if you do happen to get the flu.
If you feel like you might be getting the flu, or even if you are completely healthy right now, it’s very important to be aware of common flu symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu as many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms.[1] However, being aware of these symptoms can help you take measures to start feeling better. These include:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Fatigue (can be extreme)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults)
If you develop these symptoms and are concerned about your health, especially if you are at high risk for complications, please consult with your healthcare provider.
Should your doctor determine that you have the flu, there are steps you can take if you are sick.
The first (and most important) thing to do is stay home from work or school and avoid contact with other people. The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do that no one else can do for you. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.[2]
According to the CDC, most people who get the flu have a mild illness and do not need medical care, there are sometimes “emergency warning signs” for flu symptoms that require immediate medical attention. These include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Regardless of the severity of the flu, it’s important to stay away from others as much as possible to prevent them from getting sick. Also remember to continue to wash your hands as this helps prevent the spread of germs to others.
The CDC continues to recommend that the best way to prevent the flu is for everyone to receive their flu vaccine.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm
[2] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm
Posted December 1, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
The flu is a serious illness. Every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.1 What’s worse is that everyone is at risk; there isn’t any age group that’s safe from catching the flu, developing serious flu-related complications, or even dying from those complications.
So how do you know when someone with the flu requires a trip to the emergency room? The warning signs for children and teens are slightly different from those in adults, as stated by immunize.org. 2
Here are some signs to look for in children and teens:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not urinating or no tears when crying
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Influenza-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, you want to look for the following warning signs:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Sudden dizziness
• Influenza-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
If you know someone suffering from these symptoms, it is best to take them to the emergency room right away or call 911. There are too many heart-breaking stories of otherwise healthy people seeming completely normal one minute and then rapidly deteriorating within a number of hours from influenza. Families Fighting Flu shares some of these stories on their Web site.
Fortunately, the flu can easily be prevented. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot, as well as to avoid germs through healthy habits, such as thoroughly and frequently washing your hands.
Sources
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2 immunize.org
Posted November 17, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
A recent report released by Trust for America’s Health called Fighting Flu Fatigue provided some startling statistics about H1N1 and the impact it had across the United States during the 2009-2010 flu season.
According to the report, H1N1 infected around 20 percent of Americans (approximately 60 million individuals) and resulted in approximately 274,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths. Read the entire report here.
Despite the alarming number of people affected by H1N1 last flu season, there is a real likelihood that the United States will return to complacency in its attitude toward the flu. This could be because there was a perception that H1N1 was not as serious as it was made out to be, or because the H1N1 vaccine is now part of the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Nevertheless, H1N1 and the flu as a whole are not something to be complacent about and each year the country continues to face serious health threats.
The flu is often seen as a nuisance, but it is actually very serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1976 and 2007, flu-related deaths in the United States have ranged from a low of around 3,000 to a high of 49,000 Americans each year.
The flu is also costly to companies and businesses across the country as people who get the flu do not come to work, thus possibly costing employers productivity. In fact, the flu contributes to more than $10 million in lost productivity and direct medical expenses in the United States each year and another $16 billion in lost potential earnings.
Remember, getting your flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent getting the flu this season.
Posted November 15, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
We all know that cigarettes and other tobacco products are bad for us. So it’s no surprise that the flu and smoking don’t mix. Here’s why…
Your respiratory system (nasal passage, throat, and lungs) are covered with mucosa, which is a soft tissue that secretes mucus. Mucus is full of antibodies and immune cells that help kill viruses and bacteria. In addition to mucosa, your respiratory system is also lined with millions of hair-like projections called cilia, which are constantly pushing germs out of the body, through the mouth.2
Inhaling tobacco products, such as cigarettes, whether through first or second-hand smoke, destroys both of these germ-fighters, greatly harming one’s immune system. Smoking is related to many respiratory health problems, including chronic coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and emphysema. Furthermore, smokers have a greater chance of developing both upper and lower respiratory infections.2
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokers face a higher risk of death from influenza than non-smokers. Some studies also show an increased risk of influenza-related infection compared to non-smokers.2
The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive the vaccine for flu this season. For the above mentioned reasons, this is particularly important for smokers and those who are exposed to second-hand smoke. In addition to getting a flu vaccine, smokers between the ages of 19 and 64 are also urged to receive the pneumonia vaccine by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).3
To locate a flu shot clinic near you, go to info.findaflushot.com.
Source
1PubMed.gov
2 CDC
3 ACIP
Posted November 12, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
Schools, hospitals, corporations… it seems that everyone is jumping on the flu vaccine bandwagon… and for good reason! The flu is a serious illness that can lead to even more serious complications, including death. Organizations around the nation are recognizing the benefits to keeping their people healthy by making flu shots readily available.
Take a look at how the flu is gripping headlines across the nation…
1) “NH starts flu clinics in schools” Boston Globe (MA) (November 9, 2010) – “New Hampshire public health officials are starting flu clinics at selected schools and hope to vaccinate half of the state’s school age children. About 100 schools will hold clinics in the coming months in Belknap, Coos and Grafton counties as well as in the greater Manchester area. The government recommends that everyone over 6 months old get vaccinated. This year’s vaccine protects against three strains of the flu including last year’s H1N1 virus. The state is providing the vaccine through its immunization program. The cost of administering the shot will be paid by the child’s insurance or the state immunization program. The pilot project covers registered students in participating districts and not younger siblings, parents or staff.” Continue reading…
2) “Hospitals Statewide Adopt Flu Vaccine” KPLU (NPR) (WA) (November 9, 2010) – “Nearly every hospital in Washington has now adopted a mandatory flu-shot policy for hospital workers. That makes Washington the first state in the nation where nearly every hospital employee will be immunized… Then, a bill to make this policy a state law failed in the legislature. So, the hospital association decided this summer to make it a campaign. Now, 94 out of 98 hospitals in the state have signed on, with four tiny rural hospitals still waiting to make the transition. Sauer says it represents a better understanding of what’s at stake.” Continue reading…
3) “Flu shots can pay off big for employers” Los Angeles Times (CA) (November 10, 2010) – “Flu vaccinations for employees can help an employer’s bottom line, according to a new study. Research presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Assn., found that for each employee vaccinated an employer can save $63 to $95 per person. Vaccinating an entire 150-person company, for example, could yield savings of between $9,450 and $14,250. The study analyzes the cost of providing flu vaccine to employees and the costs in terms of absenteeism and lost productivity from having some workers out with the flu. The key to big savings, however, is to immunize workers early in the flu season. If an employer holds a flu clinic after December, the savings won’t add up. The savings to an employer are especially significant if a flu clinic is held early in a year when a pandemic flu is circulating. In that case, vaccination can save an employer $33.94 to $700.69 per vaccinated employee.” Continue reading…
4) “Flu shot safe for pregnant women, study finds” Reuters Health (November 11, 2010) – “The safety of the flu shot, which is made using killed influenza virus, has been studied in about 10,000 pregnant women, with no evidence that it presents a particular risk in this group… These latest findings ‘add to the existing evidence that the (flu shot) is safe for pregnant women,’ lead researcher Dr. Pedro L. Moro, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, told Reuters Health. Public health officials, as well as medical groups like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommend that all pregnant women receive the flu shot — though not the nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is made from a live, weakened virus.” Continue reading…
5) “Infection control” Boston Globe (MA) (November 8, 2010) – “Q. What did H1N1 teach us last year? A. I think the important lesson of the influenza pandemic is pandemics do occur. Q. Will people become complacent about pandemic flu, too? A. You need to get as many people vaccinated as you possibly can every year for the seasonal influenza and when you get the unpredictable emergence of a pandemic influenza, you will already have the infrastructure in place to make and distribute vaccine to as many people as you possibly can. In fact, that is what we are doing. Each year we vaccinate more and more people. We used to vaccinate 20, 30, 40, 50 million people a year each season. This year 160 million people will get vaccinated for the seasonal flu.” Continue reading…
Posted November 9, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
As the country heads into the height of flu season, many people simply feel that getting the flu “can’t happen to me.” In fact, we recently blogged that a recent study found that a whopping 43 percent of Americans do not plan on getting their flu vaccine this season. This is a staggering figure considering the amount of personal stories from people across the country that developed influenza and serious flu-related complications.
Just ask Luke Duvall, a healthy and athletic 15-year-old who nearly lost his life after being diagnosed with H1N1 last year. Luke is now a spokesperson for Every Child By Two, which raises awareness about the importance of the influenza vaccine. Luke’s story recently appeared in the LA Times, and while he has made a full recovery from his battle with H1N1, he wonders how different things would have been for him if he had received his flu vaccine.
Read Luke’s personal account here.
Remember: the single best way to prevent getting the flu is by getting your flu shot. It is not too late to get vaccinated and be protected before the height of flu season begins. There are hundreds of flu clinics across the country and in your area. Find a flu shot clinic in your area today!
Posted November 5, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
As flu activity picks up, the theme this week seemed to focus on the extensive reasons to get a flu shot, with headlines ranging from the abundance of flu vaccine this year to why expectant mothers need to get their flu shots to staying healthy for the holidays. One thing is for sure, this is a great time to pay a visit to your local flu shot clinic before the season fully gets underway.
Below are just a few examples of how the flu is making headlines across the nation…
1) “Flu vaccine widely available” Democrat and Chronicle (NY) (October 28, 2010) – “Flu vaccine is widely available at public clinics, doctor’s offices and pharmacies, but the cost may vary depending on where you go. Insurance plans may only cover vaccinations from certain places, so check with your insurer or check the website of the clinic provider… Monroe County: More than 150 walk-in flu clinics have already been held and about three dozen flu clinics remain from today through Nov. 20, offered by Flu Prevention Partners, Independent Nursing Care, Maxim Health Systems and University of Rochester Medical Center. For a recorded list, call (585) 753-5600, or go to www.monroecounty.gov/health-flu.” Continue reading…
2) “Exercise helps fend off colds and flu” KJRH (OK) (November 1, 2010) – “Remember the old saying, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Here’s a modern twist: “A bit of exercise every day may keep the doctor away.’ Researchers from Appalachian State found the more physically active people were — the fewer colds they got during the fall and winter months. And when they did get colds — their symptoms were less severe than more sedentary people. Doctors say bouts of exercise can temporarily increase the immune system’s response to potential viral invaders in the body. The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.” Continue reading…
3) “Expectant moms’ flu shots protect newborns” KING5 (WA) (October 30, 2010) – “After her newborn’s pediatric visit, new mom Jennifer made one more stop, to Seattle Children’s flu vaccine clinic. ‘I came to get my flu vaccine so that hopefully I don’t get the flu and don’t share it with her,’ she said. At just 11 weeks old, baby Minnie can’t get a flu shot. Research shows the vaccine isn’t effective for babies under six months of age. It can be a risky interval explains Seattle Children’s pediatrician Dr. Danielle Zerr. ‘When babies get the flu they can develop high fever. They can develop a respiratory infection or an infection in their lungs that makes it difficult for them to breathe,’ she said. Dr. Zerr is an associate professor of pediatrics at Seattle Children’s. She said a new study suggests there’s a way moms can lower influenza’s toll on babies – by getting the shots before they’re even born.” Continue reading…
4) “Your head says cold, but your body screams influenza” Columbus Dispatch (OH) (October 31, 2010) – “It’s that time of year, and you’re sick. So, is it a cold or flu? Sure, they have some things in common. Both are caused by viruses, circulate mostly in the winter months and shouldn’t be treated with antibiotics. But there are also some pretty big differences. If you’re tempted to compare your suffering to that of a person run over by a large vehicle, it’s probably the flu. Either that, or you’re a bit of a drama queen. Flu knocks out the most stalwart, sending them to bed wishing their mommy would press a cool washcloth to their forehead.” Continue reading…
5) “Jon Law: Get flu vaccine now and enjoy holidays” El Paso Times (TX) (November 1, 2010) – “Autumn, my favorite season, is now in full swing. Cooler weather and UTEP football games are welcome reminders that the holiday season is coming soon. While we’re a long distance from New England’s illustrious fall foliage, a few of our local tree leaves are even turning yellow, orange and brown. And, it’s also the time for an important, but less glorious, ritual — the annual flu vaccine.” Continue reading…
For information about local flu clinics and flu news and resources, please visit info.findaflushot.com.
Remind family and friends to get their flu shots too by sending them a Free E-Card.
Posted November 4, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Risk/Priority Groups
Many associate the flu with winter, and while it’s true, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),that flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States in January or February[i], the country is already starting to see confirmed flu outbreaks, and in certain cases, death.
Last week we posted about the lack of motivation some have to get vaccinated this flu season now that the attention to H1N1 that gripped last year’s flu season has waned. Many people are simply unmotivated to get the vaccine this year because the perception is that this season will be much milder. However, that perception does not lessen the risks of not getting vaccinated. Last week alone there were at least two confirmed cases of people being hospitalized because of the flu, and in one case a flu-related death. Below are a couple examples of recent flu activity across the country:
- In Oklahoma, a resident died of influenza between October 3 and October 10 according to the state Health Department’s Web site. Also, since September 1, nine residents have been hospitalized with the flu.[ii]
- In Michigan, the first two flu cases were confirmed in Oakland County, this according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.[iii]
In addition to these confirmed cases, the CDC came out with their first weekly flu activity report of the year. According to FluView, a weekly influenza surveillance report from the CDC, during the week of October 17-23 influenza activity remained low in the United States, making it a great time to get a flu shot.
Last week’s confirmed cases are a testament to the fact that the height of flu season is approaching and that the best defense against the flu is to get a flu shot.
Hundreds of flu shot clinics are conveniently located throughout the country. Use our clinic search to find a flu shot clinic near you and get your flu shot to protect yourself and your family this flu season.
[i] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/25/AR2010102503343.html
[ii] http://newsok.com/flu-death-adds-to-oklahomas-health-concerns/article/3508032
[iii] http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=13371552
Posted October 29, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Press Releases, Risk/Priority Groups
As you’re stocking up on candy for Trick or Treaters and hunting for the perfect Halloween costume this weekend, remember to pay a visit to your local flu shot clinic on your way home! Without the H1N1 hysteria that gripped last year’s flu season, many people are simply unmotivated to get the vaccine this year, thinking that this season will be much milder. Unfortunately, that is the type of thinking that could put a population most at risk for developing influenza and serious flu-related complications. Many states are already experiencing this. Michigan reported their first flu cases of the season this week while Oklahoma reported its first flu-related death of the season.
Below are just a few examples of how the flu is making headlines across the nation…
1) “Flu death adds to Oklahoma’s health concerns” NewsOK (OK) (October 26, 2010) – “Flu has killed the first Oklahoman this season, while strep throat, colds and salmonella have joined the threat to the state. An Oklahoma resident died of influenza between Oct. 3 and Oct. 10, according to the state Health Department’s website. Since Sept. 1, nine residents have been hospitalized with the flu.”
http://newsok.com/flu-death-adds-to-oklahomas-health-concerns/article/3508032
2) “Consumer Reports: Adults can benefit from flu, shingles, pneumonia vaccines” Washington Post (DC) (October 25, 2010) – “More important, research conducted during and after last fall’s flu season suggests that the vaccine is quite safe and effective. And this year the advice is simpler because a single vaccine should protect against both the H1N1 and regular seasonal flu strains; this means that people need only one shot or nasal dose. While the vaccine became available weeks ago, it’s still not too late to get a dose: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States in January or February… Despite all the confusion last year, the percentage of people getting the flu vaccine actually increased. And the simplified vaccine regimen should make it easier for people to get vaccinated this coming flu season. Instead of one vaccine targeted mainly to younger and middle-aged people (who are at most risk from the H1N1 virus) and another mainly to older people (who are most vulnerable to other flu strains), this year there will be just one vaccine for almost everyone older than 6 months. Still, the public has very mixed views about the vaccine.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/25/AR2010102503343.html
3) “Fewer people getting flu shots this year” KABC (CA) (October 28, 2010) – “The number of people getting flu vaccinations this year is way down, especially from last year. Infectious disease experts say this could be a recipe for trouble. It’s stressful being the primary caregiver for your elderly mom, that’s why 60-year-old Gwen MacDonald says getting sick is out of the question. ‘I can’t afford to be sick and possibly infect my mother,’ said MacDonald. But from the looks of a local flu clinic at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City, not too many people are thinking like MacDonald. ‘We are seeing a major drop off in enthusiasm among our patients,’ said Dr. Stanley Shapiro. Kaiser doctors say the number of people getting flu shots is way down from last year. Infectious disease experts say it appears people are suffering from what can be called ‘flu fatigue.’”
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=7752331
4) “People arm themselves from the flu” WWLP (MA) (October 24, 2010) – “One by one, people wanting to protect themselves from the seasonal flu piled into the Holy Name Social Center in Springfield Sunday. Katie Tivnan admits she only started arming herself against the virus when she learned she was expecting. ‘I decided to get it again this year because now instead of being pregnant I have a 10 month and certainly I don’t want to get him sick,’ said Tivnan, Springfield.
Right now, there’s no sign of a replay of the H1N1 pandemic that played out a couple years ago, but the Deputy Director of Springfield’s Health and Human Services, Bettye Frederic, says there are signs flu season has arrived.”
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/People-arm–themselves-from-the-flu
5) “First Flu Cases Confirmed” WLNS (MI) (October 22, 2010) – “The first two flu cases of the season in Michigan have been confirmed. The Michigan Department of Community Health says an adult male and an adult female both had influenza. The two cases were in Oakland County. According to the MDCH one of the viruses was confirmed as a 2009 influenza A/H1N1 subtype. But at this time they say it is too early to determine which influenza viruses will circulate and how severe the season may be.”
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=13371552
Posted October 26, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, Pediatric, Risk/Priority Groups
As parents, teachers, and most adults know, children have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses at school. As flu season approaches, it becomes even more important to teach kids how to stay healthy. While the number one way to prevent the flu is to make sure your child gets his or her flu shot, proper and consistent hand washing is one of the easiest ways to also help prevent the spread of influenza. Kids don’t always listen when you tell them to wash their hands, but it’s a message worth repeating. When your children come into contact with germs or viruses such as the flu, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Once infected, it is usually only a matter of time before the whole family gets sick as well.
Germs can be spread or transmitted in many ways, including:
- touching dirty hands or contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, desks, or books
- sharing objects such as utensils, cups, or bottles
- through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze
- through contact with a sick person’s body fluids
Teach Good Health Habits
To minimize the germs passed around your family, and to protect yourself from the flu this season, make frequent hand washing a rule for everyone, especially:
- before eating
- after using the bathroom
- after cleaning the house
- after touching animals, including family pets
- before and after visiting any sick friends or relatives
- after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- after being outside (playing, walking the dog, etc.)
You can even show your children how to get rid of germs by taking these steps when washing your hands together so they learn how important this good habit is:
- Wet hands with warm water and apply soap, making sure the water isn’t too hot for little hands.
- Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and giving extra attention to under the fingernails and between the fingers where uninvited germs like to hang out. (For younger children who may rush hand washing, have them sing a short song such as “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat,” or “Happy Birthday”, which will ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds.)
- Rinse hands with water.
- Dry thoroughly with a clean, disposable towel.
- Use towel to turn off faucet.
Educational Tools
Parents can reinforce their children’s hand-washing habits by using tools such as The Scrub Club®. The Scrub Club® is a collaborative effort between the American Red Cross and NSF International (NSF) to help protect public health by teaching children the importance of proper and consistent hand washing to help fight germs and prevent illnesses like the flu. The interactive Web site offers free educational materials, music, games, and cartoon “Webisodes” to help raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that everyone receive their flu shot this year as the best way to prevent the flu, it is important not to underestimate the power of hand washing in helping to stop the spread of influenza. Make it a fun experience for your kids. The few seconds you spend at the kitchen or bathroom sink could save you trips to the doctor’s office this flu season.
To find a flu shot clinic near you or to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family this flu season, visit info.findaflushot.com.
Sources used:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/hand_washing.html#
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=14a9a8ebaa3f0210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
http://www.henrythehand.com/