|
December 15, 2003
Little Rock
—
Reporting by
physicians, hospitals and state surveillance clearly indicates
that influenza (flu) is causing higher than normal illness and
nine probable deaths in Arkansas, all in high risk groups
(including one death in a person under 21 years of age). Flu
season usually begins in late December or early January, but
Dr. Sandra Snow, medical director for Communicable
Disease/Immunizations reported widespread influenza-like
illness in all 75 of the state’s counties. Dr. Snow says,
“The best prevention for not getting the flu is the flu
shot. However, the Health Department’s vaccine supply — as
well as the national vaccine supply — is practically
exhausted. We encourage those Arkansans that have not been
immunized, especially young children and the elderly, to check
with their local health units, private physicians,
pharmacists, and other health care providers for vaccine
availability. The health department highly encourages
people to follow simple protective measures that include:
washing their hands with warm water and soap as often as
possible; covering their nose and mouth when coughing and
sneezing; staying at home when ill; staying away from crowds
whenever possible; and keeping infants and the elderly away
from those that are ill.”
Most individuals will develop
immunity from flu two weeks after receiving a shot. In spite
of what some people believe, the flu shot will not give
someone the flu.
In a typical year, roughly
36,000 Americans die from complications of the flu. The risk
of complications and death is higher among:
- Persons aged 50 and above;
- Residents of nursing homes
and other chronic care facilities that house people with
chronic medical conditions;
- Adults and children who have
chronic disorders of pulmonary or cardiovascular systems,
including asthma;
- Adults and children who
require regular medical follow-up or hospitalization
during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic
diseases including diabetes, renal dysfunction,
hemoglobinopathies and immunodeficiency caused by
medications or HIV/AIDS;
- Children and teenagers (six
months – eighteen years) who are receiving long-term
aspirin therapy and, therefore, may be at risk for
developing Reye Syndrome after influenza infection;
- Women who will be in the
second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu
season.
- Children 6-23 months of age
and their close contacts
Because of the vaccine
shortage, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
the American Academy of Pediatrics are now recommending only
one dose of vaccine for children under nine years of age who
have never before received a flu shot. Prior to the shortage,
these children were scheduled to receive two doses of vaccine.
One dose of vaccine should offer some protection in these
children from influenza.
Influenza virus passes from an
infected person to a healthy person via nasal secretions or
droplets produced through coughing or sneezing. It can cause
fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.
If an individual contracts the flu, antiviral drugs are
available that can ease the symptoms.
High-risk groups should also
get a pneumoccocal vaccination because of potential
complications like bacterial pneumonia. For more information
on obtaining this vaccine, contact your private medical
provider.
For more information on
influenza, click on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
###
|
