November 15, 2008
Kusko Says, "Stay healthy. Stay immunized!"
Flu shot prevents a bad disease with a good vaccine!
Influenza, or the "flu", is caused by a virus. Each year, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from it.
The flu is a serious disease of the nose, throat and lungs and may make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever, muscle aches, headache, and more.
The flu can lead to pneumonia and make already existing problems worse.
Fortunately, each year a vaccine is made to help prevent influenza. Because there are many strains of the flu, a new vaccine is made every year which is why it is important to get a flu shot every year.
Here are some myths and facts about the Flu Vaccine:
Myth: The flu shot can cause the flu
Fact: The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Some people can get a little soreness or redness where they got the shot. It goes away in a day or two. Serious problems are very rare.
Myth: The flu shot does not work
Fact: The effectiveness of the flu shot has ranged from 70 percent-90 percent. Getting the vaccine is your best protection against this disease.
Myth: Only older people need the flu vaccine
Fact: Adults and children with chronic health conditions need to get the flu shot.
So, who should get the flu shot?
Everyone is the simple answer! Especially the following:
- Everyone!-from health care workers to anyone wanting to reduce their risk of getting the flu
- High Risk Groups who should consider getting the flu vaccine
- Anyone 50 years of age or older
- All children 6 months through 18 years of age (all children under 9 years of age getting the flu vaccine for the first time will need to get 2 doses separated by one month)
- All women pregnant during flu season
- Anyone with long-term health problems (diabetes, asthma, heart disease)
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Long term steroid treatment
- HIV/AIDS or disease affecting immune system
- Cancer treatments
- Anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenza-related complications
Also, people who should not get the flu shot include:
- Anyone who has had a serious reaction to the flu shot in the past
- Anyone who is allergic to eggs (vaccine contains small quantities of egg proteins) or Thimersol (preservative)
The flu is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. You may also get it from touching things with the flu germ on them. In addition to the vaccine, washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds will help prevent spreading the flu. When you cough, cough into a tissue or into your elbow. Stay away from other people if you are sick. Also, if you are coughing and must go see your provider, wearing a mask can also prevent spreading the flu.
The flu vaccine is available from October through May; the flu season doesn't stop in December, it continues through the spring! Many people have already gotten their flu shot this fall. How about you? If you haven't, here is where the flu vaccine is available:
In the village, people can get their flu shot at their local village clinic or subregional clinic. In Bethel, you can get the flu shot at YKHC 543-6000, Public Health Nursing 543-2110 or Bethel Family Clinic 543-3773.
