With the changing of weather comes an increase in seasonal diseases such as influenza or the “flu”. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) every year approximately 5-20% of US residents get the flu and over 200,000 are hospitalized from the flu or flu complications. This article is meant to be used as a guideline in answering the most common questions about influenza or the “seasonal flu” and its prevention.
When is the “flu” season?
The seasonal flu generally starts in the fall and peaks in January or February. In the United States the flu season is typically from October through May.
How is the flu spread?
The flu virus is transmitted from infected droplets or by contact with a contaminated surface. Droplet transmission occurs when the sick person coughs, sneezes or talks and tiny droplets of germ filled fluid are spread into the air. These droplets then land in a healthy person’s nose or mouth. Transmission through touching a contaminated surface happens when a healthy person touches a surface that has the flu virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes.
Who can get the flu?
Anyone can get the flu however individuals with certain diseases and compromised immune symptoms are more at risk. These high risk groups include: adults over the age of 65; children (especially those age 2 and under); and individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, COPD, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and HIV/Aids,
What are the typical flu symptoms and how long do they last?
Cough, headache, runny nose, fever, chills, aching muscles, fatigue and sore throat are the most common flu symptoms. Symptoms can last anywhere from a several days to two weeks. More severe complications from the flu include dehydration, sinus infections, bacterial pneumonia, blood infections, diarrhea and seizures in children.
How can you prevent the flu?
Since an individual with the flu virus is contagious from 1 day before they start showing symptoms to 5 days after the symptoms appear, flu prevention is very important. There are several ways you can help prevent the flu from spreading. These include washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your shirt sleeve or the bend of your elbow (not your hands), staying home when sick, and receiving an annual flu vaccine.
Can I get the flu from the flu shot?
No! Flu shots do not contain live flu viruses therefore they cannot cause you to get the flu. We have all heard stories of someone receiving a flu shot and then getting the flu the next week. Remember, it takes your body approximately 2 weeks to build up the immunity against the flu. If you get the flu during this time you were most likely already exposed to the flu virus when you received the shot or the type of flu that you caught was a type that was not covered in the flu shot.
How long does a flu vaccine take to be most effective?
Your body takes approximately 2 weeks to build up enough antibodies to protect you against the flu. These antibodies will generally remain in your system throughout the typical flu season. Children (age 6 months to 8 years) may need to have two doses of the flu vaccine in the same season to be most effective. Effectiveness of the flu vaccine can also depend on a person’s health, age, and immune status.
What are the possible side effects of the flu shot?
Most people do not experience any side effects with the flu shot however, some of the minor side effects include redness, soreness and/or swelling at the injections site, itching, headache, aches, cough, red or itchy eyes, fever, hoarseness and fatigue. More serious problems can occur including a small increased risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (1-2 cases per million people vaccinated). Young children who get the flu shot with the pneumococcal vaccine, and DTaP at the same time may have a slightly higher risk of having a seizure caused by a fever.
Is there any reason I should not get the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is safe for most people however, you should tell the person administering the vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine or you are severely allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine, if you are pregnant, if you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or if you are not feeling well.
Does my insurance cover the flu vaccine?
Since the Affordable Care Act was implemented, anyone in the United States that participates in either an individual health insurance program or an employer sponsored health insurance program can receive the flu vaccine at no cost because it is classified as preventative care. Those individuals that participate in Medicare Part B can also receive 1 flu shot at no cost per flu season. Many cities also sponsor free flu shot clinics throughout the flu season.
What do I do if I get the flu?
Stay at home! Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Consult your pharmacist or physician about which over the counter medications may work best to relieve your symptoms. If detected early enough, anti-viral drugs prescribed by your physician may lessen the symptoms and duration of the flu.
Where can I get additional information on the flu?
Contact your local or state health department, ask your physician, and/or visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
About The Author: Susan Leichter, RN is the VP of Business Operations at Aptora. She is also the author of Aptora’s Corporate Wellness Plan and a registered nurse in the state of Kansas. Click here to learn more about Susan.
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