Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.

It's that time again folks- to get your flushot! I contacted the Union County Health Department, located at 55 Hughes Street, Blairsville, 706-745- 6292, for details. They will give the fluvaccine on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but you will need to call ahead for an appointment. Don't wait to the last minute- they are already a week or so booked. Cost for the vaccine is $25. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted at all health departments. (For out of Union County--check with your local county health department). Also, most Family Practice doctors have the fluvaccine available for their patients.

Preventing the Flu: Get Vaccinated. There is an adequate supply of vaccine this year and there should be no reason for you not to be able to "get your shot"! The single best way to prevent the fluis to get a fluvaccination each fall. There are two types of vaccines:

* The "flushot"- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flushot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The flushot WILL NOT give you the flu!

* The nasal-spray fluvaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened fluviruses that do not cause the flu.This has been approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age and those who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses- such as colds.

When to Get Vaccinated: October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficialsince most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. Though it varies, fluseason can last as late as May.

Who Should Get Vaccinated? In general, anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flucan get vaccinated. According to the CDC, people who should get vaccinated each year include those who are at high risk for complications from the flu,those who are in contact with these high-risk individuals, and people ages 50 years of age and older. All persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting the fluto others. The upcoming season's high-risk category includes children ages 6 months to 59 months. The expanded age range means that an additional 5.3 million children and 11.4 million household contacts or caregivers should be vaccinated. Residents of nursing homes and all health care personnel should receive the vaccine.

Although anyone can come down with the flu,infection rates are highest in children, according to the CDC. Children can spread the virus for twice as long as adults and usually shed more influenza virus, making them flucarriers and sources of infection for others.

The phrase, " I have the flu," is often carelessly used. Coming down with a cold- you can feel bad, but nothing compared to having the real flu!

Symptoms: Usually high fever; headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

Complications of Flu: Can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Each year, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu,and about 36,000 people die from complication.

How Flu Spreads: Mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing from people with influenza. Touching something with fluviruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose may infect people. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the fluto someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds- count! Keep your hands away from your face! Don't share food or drink and stay home from work or school when you are sick.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's officeand emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains. You may contact Claudia at yhm@windstream.net .