If you’ve been too busy to get a flu shot, you might want to consider whether you can spare a week or two to battle the flu.
Five to 20 percent of Americans are sidelined with the flu every year. Some develop severe complications such as bacterial pneumonia, dehydration or worsening of conditions they already have such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes. Much more than an inconvenience, the flu sends about 200,000 Americans to the hospital every year and claims 36,000 lives.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself and those around you is to get a flu shot every year. Flu season typically runs from late December through March, but the prime time for vaccination is early- during October and November – before the bug has a chance to establish itself. If you haven’t had your shot yet, however, it’s not too late. If you get vaccinated today, you’ll be protected within two weeks. Flu shots are currently available at St. John’s Express Care, Workpartners, and HealthFirst. For more information on availability, call St. John’s Referral One at (417) 625-2000.
Early reports indicate a slow start to the flu season. Through late November, only 82 of more than 13,965 laboratory specimens tested for influenza virus were positive. Thirty states reported no influenza activity.
Influenza, or “the flu,” is caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory tract – the nose, throat and lungs. It’s similar to the common cold but with symptoms that are much more severe – fever, headache, muscle aches and a feeling of being totally wiped out. Although people talk about the “stomach flu,” is you have diarrhea or vomiting, you probably have something else.
While a cold may cause you significant misery, the worst is usually over within a week or 10 days. With the flu, the symptoms may linger and get worse. Those most at risk of complications are persons with chronic diseases that compromise the immune system.
In addition to the flu shot, which is made with killed viruses, there is a nasal spray, known as the flu mist, made with live, weakened flu viruses. Both are effective, and neither vaccine will cause the flu in someone that doesn’t have it. Although, the “flu shot” or “flu mist” may bring about some minor symptoms such as soreness, a low-grade fever and minor aches and pains during the first few days. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop.
Early in the season and particularly when vaccine supplies are limited, as they were in 2004, priority is given to persons at high risk of complications:
- Anyone over age 65, and particularly those with chronic medical conditions
- Persons living in long-term care facilities
- Patients with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immune system
- Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
- Children 6 to 23 months of age
In addition, anyone in close contact with a high-risk person, including health care workers and home health aides should be certain to have an early flu shot. The only people who should not get a flu shot without consulting a physician are those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs and whose who develop a severe reaction following a previous flu vaccination. Children under 6 months should not be vaccinated. And if you’re sick with a fever, you should postpone getting a shot until you’re feeling better.
Once you’ve been vaccinated it’s possible to get the flu, but unlikely if you’re otherwise healthy.
If you’ve been exposed to the flu virus, it takes one to four days for symptoms to appear. You’ll be able to infect others starting one day before you show signs and for an additional five or six days after you become sick. Children and persons with reduced immunity may be contagious for an even longer period.
The FDA has approved four antiviral drugs for the treatment of the flu: Tamiflu, Flumadine, Symadine/Symmetrel and Relenza. If taken within two days of becoming sick, these drugs can reduce symptoms, shorten the illness by a day or two and make you less contagious. By far, the best approach is to get your flu shot or the flu mist every year.
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