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Flu season nothing to sneeze at

Thursday, September 4, 2008 10:52 AM EDT

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend healthy children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday, as well as their close contacts (people who live with them) and out-of-home caregivers should get a flu vaccine," says Jane Secor, RN, flu and immunization coordinator, Borgess VNA Homecare. "The flu vaccine supply should be adequate. We have already received over 20,000 flu vaccine doses and can order more if necessary. There are two types of flu vaccinations available: the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine; both are effective in preventing the flu," said Secor. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses of Borgess VNA Homecare will offer 300 flu vaccination clinics in eight southwest Michigan counties. A complete list of vaccination clinics can be seen on FluShot.Borgess.com.

"Children under 6 months old are the pediatric group at highest risk of influenza complications, but they are too young to get a flu vaccine," Secor said. "The best way to protect young children is to make sure members of their household and their caregivers are vaccinated. The approved vaccines for the 2008-09 flu season include new strains of the virus most likely to circulate," Secor said.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration changed all three strains for this year's vaccine. The closer the match between the circulating strains and the strains in the flu shots, the better the protection."

"Flu is a serious disease," cautions Secor. "Each year, 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and about 36,000 people die from the flu annually."

To protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu, the CDC says "take three" this flu season.

1. Take time to get a vaccination. A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. People at high risk include infants, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease and people 65 and older.

2. Stop germs by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Stay away as much as you can from people who are sick. If you get the flu, stay home from work or school. If you are sick, do not go near other people so you don't make them sick. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.

3. Take antiviral drugs if your doctor says you need them. There are flu antiviral drugs that can treat the flu or prevent infection with flu viruses. For treatment, antiviral drugs should be started within 48 hours of getting sick. A health care provider must prescribe these.

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