How to Avoid the Flu this Season…
OVGH will be offering a flu clinic on Wednesday, October 23rd from noon until 4pm. But why is it so important to get a flu shot?
Flu season is upon us. While there is no exact start date, the best time to get a flu shot is from late September through May. People with the flu can pass the illness onto others through coughing, sneezing, and human contact. You don’t even have to show symptoms to be contagious; this can take place up to one day before you start to feel sick, and 5-7 days after. That’s why prevention is so important in keeping your family safe this flu season.
According to the CDC, it is important to keep up on flu vaccinations. “People should get vaccinated every year because even if the viruses in the vaccine are the same as previous seasons, immunity to influenza viruses declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year.”
The following are symptoms you may experience if you have the flu:
• Flu tends to start suddenly. You may feel fine one hour and have a high fever the next.
• Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
• Flu can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms although your healthcare provider may want to examine you if you have a health condition that would put you at risk from flu complications or, so he/she can rule out other types of infection. Your healthcare provider might use a rapid influenza test to confirm flu diagnosis.
*It is important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Some Stats to Remember:
• Flu can affect anyone but can be especially dangerous for older people, young children and pregnant women, for people with long term health problems and with certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
• Combined with pneumonia, flu is the 7th leading cause of death in the US.
• More than 30 million people seek medical attention for flu-related illness each year.
• Between 1976 and 2006, United States flu associated death rates have varied between a low of 3,000 per year to a high of 49,000 during a year.
The CDC recommends most people get a flu shot. The exceptions are for children under 6 months of age, people with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome, people who have had a severe reaction to the flu shot in the past, or people who are allergic to eggs. People who have a fever should wait until their fever subsides to get a flu shot.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose by coughing or sneezing into the bend of your elbow or use a tissue. It may prevent those around you from getting sick
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritiously
Places in the McKees Rocks area or Allegheny County where you can receive a vaccination:
1) OVGH will offer a flu clinic Wednesday, October 23rd from noon until 4pm. It will be located in the 3rd floor conference waiting area. The cost is $30 per flu shot. We are offering the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses.
2) County Health Department 3441 Forbes Avenue, 2nd Floor Oakland, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1 to 8 p.m.
3) Various Giant Eagles have flu shot appointments
4) The American Lung Association website shows you what Pharmacy’s are offering flu shots (cost may be involved)