December 2007
NHM Health Focus: Influenza
It's the winter holiday season!
It's the flu season!
Flu spreads most easily in the winter. During the past 24 flu seasons, months with the heaviest flu activity (peak months) occurred in November once, December four times, January five times, February ten times, and March four times.
(CDC).
Recent research has shown that flu activity intensifies during winter months because cold air and dry air "support the transmission of influenza virus
(PLoS: Pathogens)."
Influenza/Pneumonia is regularly among the ten leading causes of death in the U.S. (CDC). It can be deadly to people of all ages, particularly those under five and over 50.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single best way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. People who should get vaccinated each year are:
- Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
- Pregnant women,
- People 50 years of age and older, and
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Healthcare workers.
October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. Though it varies, flu season can last as late as May. (CDC)
Using the Flu Clinic Locator you can find a place near you that offers flu vaccinations.
Other steps you can take to help avoid getting the flu will help you to stay healthy throughout the year:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze--throw the tissue away after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, specially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this way you will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way. (CDC)
If you do get the flu, experts recommend:
- Rest
- Drink plenty of liquids
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
- Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu ( but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms
-- and particularly fever -- without first speaking to your doctor.)
- Seek medical advice early. Your doctor may recommend use of prescription antiviral medication to help treat the flu. Since this medication must be started within 2 days of illness, if you get flu-like symptoms, you should seek medical care sooner rather than later.
Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum has these resources related to influenza, vaccines and immunity.
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