| December
18, 2002 Little Rock
—
Physicians and
school personnel are reporting numerous flu-like illnesses
statewide. So far, the Arkansas Department of Health has four confirmed
cases of influenza--two in Pulaski County.
Dr. Sandra Snow, medical director for Communicable
Disease/Immunizations, says, “The best prevention from
contracting the flu is the flu shot.
We have a good supply of vaccine statewide at our local
health units. Doctors’
offices have supplies available, as well.
Roughly, two weeks after receiving a shot, you have
developed immunity to influenza. And in spite of what some
folks think, you cannot develop flu from the shot itself.”
Some
20,000 Americans die from complications of the flu each year.
This is especially true for high-risk groups, which
include:
- Persons
aged 55 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;
- Persons
who can transmit the flu to those at high risk (health
care workers, employees of nursing; homes and chronic care
facilities, employees of assisted living and other
residences for persons in high-risk groups and household
members (including children) of persons in high-risk
groups.
High-risk
groups should also get a pneumoccocal vaccination, because of
potential secondary complication of flu like bacterial
pneumonia.
Influenza
vaccine is recommended for anyone who does not want the flu,
including children older than six months of age.
The
flu shot cost $10.00 at local health units.
Persons wanting the vaccine should check with their
local health unit for days and times when shots will be given.
Influenza
virus passes from an infected person to the nose or throat of
others. It can
cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle
aches. The
influenza virus is spread primarily by coughing and sneezing.
An effective way to stop the spread of the virus is
frequent hand washing and covering the nose and mouth when
coughing or sneezing. In
addition, if you contract the flu, there are antiviral drugs
currently on the market that will help ease your symptoms.
For
more information on influenza, click on the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
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