Precautions during flu season

As the weather gets chillier we start to think about the flu and what this year’s season will bring. Should I get vaccinated?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recommends an annual flu shot for everyone six-months old and older.

This year, the vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses. Both the B/Victoria component and the influenza A(H3N2) component were updated to fit the strains the CDC expects to be most common.

Other strains the vaccine will fight against are the A/Michigan strain, A/Singapore and B/Colorado.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is again recommended this year as an option to the shot for non-pregnant individuals from two-years old through age 49.

Of course, there is a precaution against using the nasal spray vaccine for certain individuals who have underlying conditions.

Most vaccines are egg-derived, however, there are some cell-derived viruses that will be part of all the quadrivalent vaccines this season.

If you have an allergy to eggs, it is recommended you get your shot from your doctor, public health or a hospital as they are better able to monitor any reaction you might have.

The CDC recommends folks get vaccinated now, before the flu starts spreading in your area since it takes about two weeks after the shot or nasal spray to be fully effective. That means by the end of October, everyone should get vaccinated.

You can wait until later in the year, even up until January, but by then, you have most probably come in contact with one or more strains and may have already had one bout of the virus.

There is no predicting how the flu season will go across the country, but it can start as early as October or November and even go as late as May. Peak times are generally between December and February.

The flu shot is your best defense against the flu, but if you should happen to come down with it, there are medications out there, you just need to make sure you get them within the first 48-hours of symptoms as that is when they are most effective.

If you do develop symptoms of flu, by all means, stay home from work or school to stop the spread of the virus. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly throughout the day and try to stay away from others who may be ill.

People often wonder if there is going to be enough vaccine to go around, and although there are several companies who manufacture the vaccine, the CDC says they project between 163 million and 168 million doses will be available this flu season.

A flu shot clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 10, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. by Hot Springs County Public Health. After that, vaccines available from 3-5 p.m. every day.

Public Health will have both children and adult vaccines available and will bill Medicare, Medicaid, BS/BS, First Choice, Cigna, CNIC and United Healthcare.

Hot Springs County Public Health can be found at 117 North 4th Street. If you have any questions, please feel free to give them a call at 864-3311.