For some people, the flu can be very dangerous. In fact, serious illness from the flu is common in people who are very young, elderly, or have certain health problems like poor nutrition, low immunity, asthma, and lung diseases. It causes sickness in about 20% of the world’s population every year. Health problems from the flu causes more than 200,000 people each year to have to go the hospital. About 10% of the deaths that happen during flu season (October – May) are directly related to the flu. Flu spreads quickly from person to person, especially in schools, long term care facilities, and other places where people have close contact. Both children and adults can get the flu. Certain strains, such as the H1N1, are more common in children. Others occur most often in adults.
People with the flu usually experience symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, cough, and sore throat that can last for 2 to 5 days or even longer. In some people, the flu can cause other sicknesses. A common sickness that may start with the flu is pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that is more common in people over 65 years old, residents of long term care facilities, or those with other illnesses like diabetes or conditions affecting the heart or lungs.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu shot. However, hand washing is also another helpful way to help minimize the spread of the flu. Proper hand washing before eating and after using the bathroom or visiting public places plays an important role in preventing the spread of the flu virus.
The virus changes from year to year. This means that it is important to get vaccinated every year to decrease the chance of illness from the flu. It is also important to get the flu shot every year even if you have never had the flu. The fact that you have the vaccine may be directly related to the fact that you have not had it.
Don’t worry, the flu shot will not make you get the flu! In fact, people who don’t get the flu shot get sick more often and even get sicker than the people that get the flu shot. The side effects of the flu shot are usually related to the injection or “shot” itself. Common side effects include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low fever, or mild aches lasting 1 or 2 days.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone who wants to decrease their chances of getting the flu or of giving the flu to those around you who may be at a higher risk of complications. See if you fit into any of the categories below. If so, you too should be vaccinated. All persons, including children 6 months of age and over, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others should consider vaccination.
Those at highest risk include:
- All children age 6 months to 18 years
- Persons aged 50 years or more
- Any person who is at an increased risk of complications from influenza
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house persons of any age who have long-term illnesses;
- Those with chronic conditions such as: heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic disease (diabetes), anemia and other blood disorders
- Anyone with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system, long term treatment with steroids or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs.
- Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are on long-term aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye Syndrome after the flu.
- Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.
- Health-care personnel;
People with severe allergies to eggs or who have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past should talk to their doctor or pharmacist before getting the flu shot. People who are sick or have a cold are asked to wait until they feel better before getting flu shots.
We recommend that you should get the vaccination before the peak of flu season. Your body takes a few weeks to build up immunity after taking the vaccine. It does not work instantly. Just as a reminder, Medicare covers flu shots as a benefit. If you have any questions about the flu shot call your Bremo or Henrico pharmacist today at 288-8361.
Michelle Herbert Thomas, PharmD, CDE
Clinical Director, Richmond Apothecaries, Inc.
