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Ms. Denise Ryan Lenihan



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Influenza

 
Good Health Habits for Prevention
Fact Sheet

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, 
but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often 
can help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu 
antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu. 

Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your 
distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

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

Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may 
prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated 
with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty 
of fluids, and eat nutritious food.


Questions:

Can herbal, homeopathic or other folk remedies protect against the flu?

There is no scientific evidence that any herbal, homeopathic or other folk 
remedies have any benefit against influenza. Although, it is believed the 
vitamin c with rose hips, zinc, berries, nuts, beans, green leafty 
vegetables, fish and chicken strengthen the immune system.


How long can human influenza viruses remain viable on inanimate items (such 
as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on 
surfaces for between 2 and 8 hours.


What kills influenza virus?

Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]).


Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine:

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each 
year.

There are two types of vaccines:

The "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is 
given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in 
people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic 
medical conditions. 

The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses 
that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated 
influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in 
healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
 
Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses
1.)  A (H3N2) virus
2.)  A (H1N1) virus
3.)  A B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on 
international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and 
strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.

About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against 
influenza virus infection develop in the body.


When to Get Vaccinated:

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still 
get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as 
October and last as late as May.


Who Should Get Vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can 
get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people 
should get vaccinated each year. They are people who are at high risk 
of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for 
those at high risk for serious complications. 


People who should get vaccinated each year are:

People at high risk for complications from the flu, including: 
Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday, 
pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with 
certain chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and 
other long term care facilities and 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. 
 
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. 


Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine:

It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is 
always an option for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.


Who Should Not Be Vaccinated:

There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting 
a physician. 

These include:

People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs. 

People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the 
past. 

People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting 
an influenza vaccine previously. 

Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of 
age. 

People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get 
vaccinated until their symptoms lessen. 


Vaccine Effectiveness:

The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health 
status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" 
between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing 
has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective 
at preventing the flu.


Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect):

Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: 

The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you 
cannot get the flu from a flu shot. 
Some minor side effects that could occur: 

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given 
Fever (low grade) 

Aches 

If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 
to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious 
problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause 
serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, 
people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a 
claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program 
(VICP).

LAIV (FluMist®): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do 
not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In 
clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has 
occurred only rarely.)

In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include:

runny nose 

wheezing 

headache 

vomiting 

muscle aches 

fever 

In adults, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include

runny nose 

headache 

sore Throat

cough
http://cdcinfo@cdc.gov

 

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Last Modified: Sunday August 03 2008
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