Tag Archives: vaccine

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues, Respiratory Safety

DO YOU HAVE THE FLU BLUES?

We are smack-dab in the middle of flu season, and unless sick people stay at home until they feel much better, we are all potential candidates to catch this “bug.”  There are several types of influenza;  the seasonal flu activity usually peaks in January or February.  However, it can sneak up on you as early as October, until the month of May.  There are many precautions we can take to avoid being ill from this virus.  The best preventative measure is to get the flu vaccine.  

Vaccines vary according to the strain of flu that is prevalent every season.  However, the Centers for Disease Control provide the vaccine that is deemed proper for the expected type of flu that is anticipated to be widespread.  Everyone six months of age to the elderly should get this vaccine.  Those age 65 and older and children younger than age 2 are more likely to have complications from the flu. 

Flu viruses are a contagious respiratory illness.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes, the flu can lead to death.  At last report, in our state of Texas, twelve persons have died from complications of the flu.  One of those persons  lived in my small hometown, and was only 47 years old.  She had the swine flu.  Complications from the flu may be pneumonia and dehydration.  

When you are around someone who is sneezing, coughing, or talking to you, experts say that you are exposed to the flu because their germs land in your mouth or nose.  Yuk!  If you touch a surface or object that has the flu virus on it, and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you hve found another way to contact the virus.  That’s why it is important to keep your hands clean.  Keep some hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse, and another container in your car.  Remember, when leaving a public restroom or any other public place, elevator, escalator, or using shared equipment in your place of work, watch what you touch,  and wash or clean your hands often.  (And stay away from anyone who is sick as much as possible.) 

Flu and the common cold have similar symptoms.  We want to help you understand the differences.  First, flu symptoms: 

  • Fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue.
  • A 100°F or higher fever, or feeling feverish (some persons with the flu do not run fever).
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Headaches and body aches
  • Cough or sore throat
  • Almost never causes upset stomach, except:
  • Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
  • Chills. 

Cold symptoms: 

  • Colds rarely cause fever or headaches.
  • Runny nose.
  • Stuffy nose.
  • Sneezing, coughing. 

The flu can be much worse than the common cold.  Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following: 

  • Sudden dizziness;
  • Confusion;
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
  • Seizures;
  • Purple or blue discoloration of the lips. 

If you think you have the flu, go to your doctor, who can test to see if your illness is the flu.  Please stay at home until you are completely over it.  Some of the flu-like symptoms can improve, but later come back with fever and a worse cough.  Avoid contact with your co-workers until you are well.  Your family members can use antibacterial spray and wipes to help avoid catching the flu, and if they have been vaccinated, this will be most  helpful.  Face masks can help both the patient and caregiver avoid those germs floating around in the air.  Face masks and latex gloves  are also very useful for persons with underlying health problems to use when traveling.

One additional clarification:  Stomach “flu” is really gastroenteritis, not the flu. 

Source:  Flu.gov                  NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

INFLUENZA UPDATE – JANUARY 8, 2013

In the U.S., influenza is widespread over eighty percent of the country.  There are three particular strains that are circulating – the  H3N2, is the dominant one this year, and can cause a more serious illness.  Because vaccines were given for both A and B strains of influenza, the third strain doesn’t respond to those shots.  

Some persons became infected before receiving the vaccination, or shortly after the vaccination.  The flu shot takes time to become effective.  Doctors state that even if you get a strain not included in the flu shot, the vaccination should reduce the severity of the illness.  The flu is spreading earlier and faster this year. 

Anyone who is at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine this season.  Those to whom it is especially important to receive the vaccine are:

  1. People with certain medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  2. Pregnant women.
  3. Persons 65 years and older.
  4. People who live with or care for others who are at risk of developing serious       complications such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs.  Some cases are mild to severe; however, the flu can be lethal.  Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, chills, head and body aches, runny nose, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.  Some people with these symptoms, however, may not have the flu.  Many are being treated for bronchitis or severe allergies. 

The flu is spread through contact with bodily discharges.  When someone infected sneezes or coughs around them, chances are they will also become infected.  Things that we touch, such as elevator buttons, phones, keyboards, salt shakers, and other items in public places make us all susceptible to it. 

If you are ill, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  Wash your hands very often, and keep hand sanitizer handy.  Use disinfectant sprays in the home to kill germs.

Last, but not least, stay home if you are sick.  Do not be in a rush to return to school or work until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.  During seasons that bring contagious diseases, it’s not a bad idea to stay home and away from crowds as much as possible.  Some folks may be coming down with something, yet are unaware of it until they actually get sick. 

Stay well, my friends!

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

NOT FUN, BUT FLU FACTS FOR DECEMBER, 2012.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the “bug” is back, and earlier than it has been in almost ten years.  It is predicted to be an especially bad flu season for some Americans.  Suspected flu cases have jumped in five states, and the primary strain circulating is one that tends to make people sicker, especially the elderly.  This years’ bug is H3N2; fortunately, the vaccine that was developed for this year is well matched to the strains of flu seen this year.  Also, one-third of Americans have been vaccinated so far this year. 

The CDC’s flu-tracking system’s reports are a week old the day they are made, since it takes time for reports to reach them.  These are based directly on physician-reported illnesses.  The CDC’s flu tracking system shows that flu-like illnesses are widespread in five states:

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.  Georgia and Missouri have moderate levels of activity. 

WebMD’s Cold and Flu Map, based on cold and flu symptoms entered into the WebMD Symptom Checker, shows “severe” flu activity in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and South Dakota.  Moderate to severe activity is reported in southeastern, south central, and central states, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. 

Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the CDCP, predicts it is shaping up to be a bad flu season, however, only time will tell.  There are ample supplies of the flu vaccine; manufacturers have shipped 123 million of this year’s expected 135 million doses of the flu vaccine.  Dr. Frieden reports that last year had no shortage of the vaccine and they expect it won’t fall short this year. 

So, if you haven’t received your vaccination, do so now, so your holidays won’t be spoiled.  That way, you don’t risk giving it to your friends, families, or co-workers.  If you do become sick, please stay at home and try to not come in close contact with others.  Washing your hands or using anti-bacterial hand wash will help kill germs.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON, AGAIN!

The first global pandemic that had occurred in 40 years hit worldwide last year!  A nasty virus called “H1N1 Influenza” spread throughout the globe.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can be mild or severe, and can cause death in older persons, youngsters, and those who have certain underlying health conditions.  The H1N1 virus did not seem to affect older citizens as much as young adults, some of them in good health. 

Signs of influenza are body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headache, and stuffy nose.  “Stomach flu” is not influenza.  There are certain antiviral medications that your healthcare provider may wish to prescribe for you.  Prevention is the key: annual flu vaccine.  Scientists make up a different vaccine each year because strains of influenza vary from year to year.  Experts are predicting we will see more of the H1N1 bug, as well as other viruses.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 strain and two other influenza viruses.  If you take the shot, and still get the flu, the severity of it should be reduced. 

Symptoms of the common cold, which strikes more than one billion victims per year in the United States, are scratchy throat, runny nose, and sneezing.  Bed rest, fluids, gargling with warm salt water, using lozenges and throat sprays are common treatments for colds.  Colds are usually milder than flu and most often do not result in serious health problems.  Some over-the- counter medications might help.  Antibiotics will not kill viruses or prevent bacterial infections.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children not be given aspirin when they have a viral illness such as a cold.  Contact your pediatrician for best advice. 

When it comes to the common cold or influenza, here are some ways to help you  prevent and/or cope with either one of them: 

  • Avoid touching shared telephones, computers, stairway rails, doorknobs, money, and after doing so, wash hands properly!
  • Use alcohol-based disinfecting products for your hands.
  • Wash hands frequently, and teach your children to do so as well.
  • Try not to get too close to someone who is sneezing, coughing.
  • Stay away from others if you are sneezing or coughing.
  • If you have to sneeze or cough, sneeze or cough into your elbow, not hands.
  • While you are ill, stay home, DO NOT PASS GO, and get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.  Don’t take your germs to work or school, get well first!

Other respiratory viruses that curculate during flu season are non-flu viruses that include rhinovirus – one source of the common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children and persons age sixty-five and older.

If you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, think seriously about getting one.  Let’s try to stay ahead of the “bugs” this year!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control

Nat’l Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

BE PATIENT, THE VACCINE IS COMING!

Hopefully, by now you have had your regular seasonal flu shot.  On October 5, the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine were administered.  Dr. Charles Miramonti, an emergency room physician in Indianapolis, was the first to receive the FluMist vaccine.  Other healthcare workers in Indianapolis and Tennessee that work directly with patients received their vaccine today, as well.

Initial shipments are small at this time; therefore, most of it is being given to healthcare workers who are exposed to persons with flu-like symptoms.   Mid-October is when the vaccines are scheduled to start rolling out.  There have been no red flags showing up in the several thousand volunteers who have been tested.

As stated in the past, ones to receive the vaccine are:

  • pregnant women,
  • young people, age 6 months to 24 years old,
  • persons under age 64 with risks of complications from influenza,
  • healthcare workers,
  • caregivers of newborns.

It is up to each state health department to determine how many doses will go to their local doctors, clinics, schools and drugstores.  Within a few weeks, there will be enough for everyone.

Until it is available in your area, be patient, and do everything you can to avoid sick people, stay out of crowds if possible, and keep washing your hands.

Source: AP