Preventing Influenza

Noah Nesin, MD
Medical Director

09/13/2007

As autumn approaches, the leaves change and the days shorten we begin again to think of the coming flu season and how best to prevent influenza outbreaks in our communities. The answer is, of course, familiar. Healthy living, good hygiene and the influenza vaccine are our most effective tools in preventing this disease.

Healthy living includes plenty of sleep, good nutrition, regular exercise and managing stress. There is no question that this more holistic approach to our wellbeing helps to reduce the risk of catching or becoming seriously ill with influenza.

Good hygiene means avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home from school or work when you are sick, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth when they may have been contaminated with germs from someone who is ill, and careful hand washing after contact with an ill person.

The influenza vaccine remains the single most effective way to prevent yourself from catching the flu. Influenza vaccine comes in two forms:

The “flu shot”:

An inactivated (killed virus) vaccine that will not cause the flu and is given as an injection (usually in the arm) and approved for use in people over 6 months of age, including those with chronic disease and pregnant women.

The nasal spray vaccine:

A live but weakened virus vaccine that will not cause the flu and is approved for use in people ages 5 to 49 who are not pregnant.

Each of these vaccines takes about two weeks after administration to become fully effective.

Who should be vaccinated?

Anyone who wants to reduce their risk of getting influenza should receive one of the vaccines. However, there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with the disease and for whom vaccination is strongly encouraged. These groups are as follows:

Children age 6 months to 5 years of age (any child under age 9 receiving the vaccine for the first time will require two injections a month apart or two doses of the nasal spray 6 to 10 weeks apart – remember that the spray cannot be given to children under age 5)
Pregnant women (who should receive the injection, not the nasal spray)
People over age 50 (who also should receive the injection, not the nasal spray)
People with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and emphysema
People living in long term care facilities
Household contacts of any people in the previously listed categories
Household contacts of and caregivers to infants less than 6 months of age
Healthcare workers

What are the side effects of vaccination?

The flu shot can cause redness and swelling at the injection site and some mild achiness. The nasal spray can cause runny nose, headache, sore throat and cough, and in children it can cause vomiting, muscle aches and fever. However both of these vaccines are generally well tolerated and neither will cause the flu. Rarely the shot can cause more severe allergic reactions.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
People who have had a severe reaction to flu vaccine in the past, including a rare disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome
People who are currently moderately or severely ill with a fever (but they can be vaccinated once the illness resolves.
When should you get the vaccine?

October and November are ideal months to receive the vaccine in order to get protection before the onset of flu season and have that protection last through flu season. However, it is never too late to receive the vaccine and it may be given at any time during the flu season (usually October to May).

There are antiviral medications that can help if you contract the flu, but your best defense is prevention.

Health Access Network will have flu vaccine available beginning in late September. Watch for upcoming ads announcing dates and locations of Flu Shot Clinics.

To make an appointment, or for more information about Health Access Network services, call 794-6700 or toll free 1-866-426-4584.