Influenza What is Influenza (also called "flu") Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, kidney or heart disease) are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. How is the flu spread? Flu viruses are spread by exposure to a cough or sneeze from a person who has the flu. It can also be spread by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching ones mouth or nose. It is possible to pass the flu virus on to others without even knowing you have the flu. How is the flu prevented? A flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the severity of the flu (influenza). There are 2 types of vaccines: Your healthcare provider will advise you as to which type of vaccine you should receive. The flu vaccination has to be given each year and should be given as soon as the vaccine is available, usually in September or October. While receiving the vaccine as soon as possible is best, one can still get the vaccine during the early winter months, throughout the flu season. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against the influenza virus. Flu vaccines do not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses. The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against 3 different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the influenza A (H1N1) virus, derived from a 2009 pandemic influenza A virus that caused so much illness in 2009. While the strains of this year's vaccine are the same as those in 2010-2011, the CDC recommends "even people who got a flu vaccine last year should get vaccinated again this year to ensure that they are optimally protected" (Bridges, C. 2011, CDC) as levels of protection against the flu virus can decline over the course of a year. Who should get vaccinated? The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people age six (6) months and older should be vaccinated. Children 6 months through 8 years need a specific number of doses, please consult with your pediatrician or primary care provider for your child's needs. People 65 years old and older should consult with their Primary Care Provider in regards to the Fluzone High- Dose Influenza Vaccine. This injectable vaccine contains 4 times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) contained in the regular flu shots. The additional antigen is intended to create a stronger immune response in the person getting the vaccine. Always consult with your healthcare provider regarding your need for protection against influenza (flu) as there are certain people who should not be vaccinated. Who should not be vaccinated? Some people should not be vaccinated.
The "flu shot", is a vaccine containing dead virus, given with a needle (does not cause the flu)
The nasal-spray, a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses (does not cause the flu)
They include:
1. A severe allergy to chicken eggs
2. Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
3. Have a history of Guillain-Barre' syndrome
4. Children younger than 6 months
5. Have a moderate or severe illness with a fever (should wait to get vaccinated until the symptoms lessen).
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult with your primary health-care provider.
The above information downloaded from www.cdc.gov/flu and
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm 9/11/11.
We presently do not provide vaccines to our patients, but we are concerned about your risk for contracting the flu. Flu vaccines can be obtained at your primary care physician's office, your local health department, some pharmacies and/or senior centers. We recommend you discuss this information with your primary care physician or nurse.
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