Flu season is here, time to think about shots PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 25 October 2006 03:52
The general flu season has begun, usually starting in October and it may run as late as May.
If you are sick and tired of getting the flu or a really bad cold this year, follow some practical advice to avoid being felled by the germs of the season.
The Pondera County Health Department (PCHD) suggests getting vaccinated as early as possible, during October and November, to avoid contacting the influenza virus and subsequent illness.
Flu shots should be your first line of defense, especially if you’re at high risk.
If you are wondering why you should be vaccinated, you should know that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) says that flu is a serious disease and can attack any person of any age. The CDC reports that in an average year, flu causes 36,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations.
Those at high risk should be vaccinated and these people fall into that category: Children six months to five years old. 2. People 50 years and older. 3. Pregnant women. 4. People who live in nursing homes or other long-term facilities.5. People of any age who have certain chronic medical conditions.
It should be noted that people, or groups, at higher risk usually have an immune system that is somewhat weaker or inferior to the remaining population.
The flu virus may actually infect the at risk people after the immunization has been given. This is because their immune system does not produce the net effect that is hoped for.
The vaccine does not work right away. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the virus. This is another reason to get vaccinated early. Individuals are still susceptible to the flu virus during this two-week period.
The PCHD has received their allotment of the flu vaccine. Their hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may want to call for an appointment, 271-3247. This year, Medicare can be billed for the flu vaccination.
The flu virus is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can also be contracted by touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose.

Some healthy adult may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after you know you are sick. This makes it important to know the etiquette of coughing and sneezing.
You should cover your mouth, either with a Kleenex, handkerchief, or your hands or turn away and sneeze into your sleeve.
There are some people who should not get vaccinated and they include people who have an allergy to chicken eggs, anyone who has had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination in the past, infants under the age of six months and anyone with a moderate or severe illness with a fever, should wait until their symptoms improve.
There are two kinds of flu vaccinations.
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine containing killed virus and is given by needle, usually in the arm.
A newer type of vaccine, Flumist, is a nasal spray and contains weakened-live viruses. The nasal spray is best used among people between the ages of 5-49 years with no chronic health problems.
The flu shot is recommended for people over six months of age, including healthy people and those with chronic conditions.
There are some common sense measures that can be taken to which Cynthia Grubb, PCHD-RNB tells the I-O, “We can’t emphasize enough, wash your hands often.”
She also notes that fruits and vegetables and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E, helps support a healthy immune system.
Editor’s note: Jeff Young a senior nursing student in the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing, helped prepare and provide most of the information for this story.
A part of his curriculum this semester included clinical exposure in community health where he worked with Grubb.
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