Janet's Guidelines for Good Health

Flu season is here

Once again it is time to get your annual Flu Vaccination, highly recommended for seniors and others with a chronic disease. This year's seasonal flu vaccine will also protect you against the H1N1 swine flu, all in one shot. The second vaccination recommended is for pneumococcal pneumonia ,usually given once for those over 65 years of age. This will provide you protection for up to 10 years. It can be given at the same time as the flu vaccination. The cost of both of these vaccines is covered by Medicare Part B.

This year three additional shots will be offered: high dose flu, Tdap and Td.

 High-dose flu vaccine was designed specifically for people 65 years and older.  It is four times stronger than the regular vaccine and is intended to create a stronger immune response.  As people age, their immune system’s function tends to decrease. This makes older adults not only more susceptible to infections, but also less responsive to the standard-dose flu vaccination.  Those over 65 have a choice between the two flu vaccines.

Td vaccine prevents Tetanus and diphtheria.  Tetanus shots are recommended every 10 years, so get out those records to see if you are due.  This vaccine is not covered by Medicare.

Tdap vaccine prevents Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  This vaccine can only be given to those under 65.  Over the years the immunity we received when we first had the pertussis immunization wanes. This vaccine is useful if you have infants in the home that are too young to have completed their pertussis immunizations.  If you are due for a Tetanus shot then this vaccine would fill that need.

What can I do to protect myself against the flu?  By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall.  Other ways to avoid any upper respiratory disease including the flu are:

Washing your hands often with SOAP and water will help protect you from all kinds of germs.

Avoid crowds and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.  You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

What about influenza antiviral medications?  Influenza antiviral medications are drugs that suppress the ability of influenza viruses to reproduce.  When used correctly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and some complications from influenza virus infection.  In some cases they are used along with the vaccine to prevent the flu.  Consult your physician.

How do you catch the flu?  Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person.  Sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.  A person with the flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?  Influenza is a serious disease, and people of any age can get it. In an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States.  There have been cases of influenza reported in Sarasota already this year.

Does flu vaccine work right away?  No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.  Immunity begins to wane after about 4 months.

Can I get sick with the flu from the shot?  NO!  The vaccine is made with a killed virus.  Think of Tetanus shots…that is also a killed virus.  Have you ever heard of anyone getting Tetanus from the shot???  Your may get a sore arm with either of the vaccines.

In his Great Love,
Janet  Headley, RN

Janet is the very busy Parish Nurse at Trinity United Methodist Church and worked with Norma Pitzer, St. Margaret's former Parish Nurse, at the Sarasota Health Department. She has graciously agreed to share her newsletter articles with us.