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Yikes, Flu Season!
It's closer that you think -- Flu Season! Yikes, time to start thinking about getting your flu shot and for those who live with you. Just like last year, the CDC says there will be restrictions on who gets the first flu shots this fall. Anyone who lives with an immune-suppressed individual or someone with lung disease should get a flu shot. Getting the shot does not protest you completely, but it is better that not having any protection at all. So, start thinking about it now, get ready to roll up your sleeve and get that shot!
Information on influenza and the flu virus with current trends,
news, community outbreaks and surveillance maps.
http://www.fluwatch.com/
http://www.flustar.com
Another good sight to look at flu rates in your area.
All you need is a zip code......
Influenza Prevention and Control Guidelines Updated
For information purposes only:
July 6, 2006 - - " The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, (ACIP) -- Laurie Barclay, MD
ACIP updated their guidelines for antiviral treatment and vaccination for influenza for the 2006 season, and published them in the June 28 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
"In the United States, epidemics of influenza typically occur during the winter months and have been associated with an average of approximately 36,000 deaths per year in the United States during 1990-1999," write Nicole M. Smith, PhD, and colleagues from the ACIP. "Rates of infection are highest among children, but rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons aged > 65 years, children aged < 2 years, and persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza. Influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its severe complications."
The new guidelines update the 2005 ACIP recommendations regarding the use of influenza vaccine and antiviral agents. Based on new and updated information, the 2006 recommendations contain several changes, including:
Children aged 24 to 59 months and their household contacts and out-of-home caregivers should be vaccinated against influenza.
Children aged 6 months to younger than 9 years who were unvaccinated previously should receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine.
Healthcare providers, those planning organized campaigns, and state and local public health agencies should develop plans for expanding outreach and infrastructure to vaccinate more persons than during 2005, and they should develop contingency plans for the timing and prioritization of administering influenza vaccine, if the supply of vaccine is delayed and/or reduced.
Providers should routinely offer influenza vaccine to patients throughout the influenza season.
Until evidence of susceptibility to amantadine or rimantadine has been reestablished among circulating influenza A viruses, neither of these antiviral medications should be used for the treatment or chemoprophylaxis of influenza A in the United States.
The 2006-2007 trivalent influenza vaccine virus strains should be used: A/New Caledonia/20/1999 (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigens. For the A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like antigen, the makers may use the antigenically equivalent A/Hiroshima/52/2005 virus, and for the B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigen, the makers may use the antigenically equivalent B/Ohio/1/2005 virus.
Annual influenza vaccination is now recommended for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications and severe disease, including children aged 6 to 59 months, pregnant women, those older than 50 years, those of any age with certain chronic medical conditions; and those who live with or care for persons at high risk, including household contacts who have frequent contact with persons at high risk and who can transmit influenza to those persons at high risk, and healthcare workers.
Vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended for the following groups at increased risk for severe complications from influenza:
Children aged 6 to 23 months;
Children and adolescents, aged 6 months to 18 years, who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and might therefore be at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
Adults and children with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including asthma but not hypertension;
Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency, (including immunodeficiency caused by medications or by HIV);
Adults and children with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration, including cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders;
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities for persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions; and Persons aged older than 65 years.
Vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine is also recommended for children aged 24 to 59 months and persons aged 50 to 64 years at increased risk for influenza-associated clinic, emergency department, or hospital visits, particularly if they have a high-risk medical condition. If antiviral treatment of influenza is indicated, oseltamivir or zanamivir can be prescribed. These agents are both neuraminidase inhibitors with demonstrated activity against both influenza A and B viruses. Oseltamivir is approved for treatment of persons older than 1 year, and zanamivir is approved for treatment of persons older than 7 years. For chemoprophylaxis of influenza, oseltamivir is licensed for use in persons aged older than 1 year, and zanamivir is licensed for use in persons aged older than 5 years. Recommended dosage tables are provided for these medications. Because of the risk for serious adverse respiratory events and because efficacy has not been demonstrated in patients with underlying airway disease, zanamivir is not recommended for treatment of this population. Adverse effects of oseltamivir may include nausea and vomiting, which might be less severe if it is taken with food.
Viral resistance to adamantanes can emerge rapidly during treatment because a single point mutation can result in cross-resistance to both amantadine and rimantadine. During treatment with either of these agents, drug-resistant viruses can emerge in approximately one third of patients. In contrast, development of viral resistance to zanamivir and oseltamivir during treatment has been identified but does not appear to be frequent.
Diagnostic tests available for influenza include viral culture, serology, rapid antigen testing, polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence assays. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests may vary based on the laboratory that performs the test, the type of test used, the type of specimen tested, and the timing of specimen collection. Nasopharyngeal specimens are typically more effective than throat swab specimens for viral isolation or rapid detection. As with other diagnostic test, the findings should be evaluated in the context of other available clinical and epidemiologic information.
Reproduction of copyrighted material is at the discretion of the individual, and is made pursuant to the individual's election under 17 USC 107, the Fair Use exception to Federal copyright restrictions.
Flu Shots -- Where are they?
How do you get one?
It's very simple. Go to the following web address at the American Lung Association and insert your zip code. Voila! you will find where you can get a flu shot locally. IF that doesn't work for you, make an appointment with your primary care physician to get one there.
www.flucliniclocator.org
From CVS website:
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/health_ftpi?fpaid=12168
What is the flu?
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by various strains of influenza viruses. Symptoms of the flu may last for up to a week and may include:
* Fever
* Fatigue
* Headache
* Body aches
* Cough
* Nasal congestion
* Sore throat
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, it is estimated that on average, approximately 5% to 20% of Americans become ill with the flu each year. Pneumonia is one of the serious and potentially life-threatening complications of the flu.
Flu season generally starts in November and may last until March or April. You may be exposed to the flu virus, which passes through the air, if you come in contact with an infected person who coughs or sneezes. You could also get the flu by touching contaminated surfaces, such as a telephone or doorknob. The virus usually enters the body through the nose or mouth.
What can you do to protect yourself?
The best defense against the flu virus is an annual vaccination with a flu shot. New vaccines are manufactured every year from strains of the viruses that are expected to circulate during the coming flu season. Because these viruses are inactivated during the manufacturing process, these vaccines do not cause flu infections. Instead, they help to bolster your immune system by prompting the development of antibodies that will defend against infection.
Low cost flu immunizations are being offered at our CVS/pharmacy stores. Age restrictions vary by store location, so call ahead or use our Store Finder to check the age limit for your CVS. Because the flu vaccine may contain some egg protein, people who are allergic to chicken or eggs should consult their doctor before receiving a flu shot. Talk with your health care provider to learn more about flu vaccines.
What should you do if you get the flu?
For people who do not get a flu shot or for those who become infected with the flu virus shortly after getting vaccinated, there are some prescription medications available that will help to prevent or treat infection. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about these options.
In addition to vaccination or medication, it is always helpful to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and be sure to wash your hands to prevent contaminating surfaces and passing the flu virus on to others.
Stay healthy this flu season. Get your flu shot!
Source: US Centers for Disease Control
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