Flu season creeps into the village

It’s that time of year again when the echoes of coughs and sneezes can be heard in various stores, businesses and facilities throughout the Fallbrook/Bonsall area. With that said, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is encouraging members of the community to get vaccinated for the flu during the fall months.

The influenza virus causes the flu, which is a contagious respiratory illness. Generally, the flu season begins in October and continues through March.

Minor respiratory infections that last a few days should not be mistaken for influenza. “When someone actually has influenza they are bedridden,” said Adrienne Yancey, Chief of the Immunization Branch, County of San Diego HHSA. “They will have fever and aches that will totally knock them out.”

Flu vaccines are deemed very important. “Most people don’t realize that 36,000 of our fellow Americans die each year from the influenza virus,” noted Yancey. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications of the influenza virus. Some of these complications may include bacterial pneumonia and dehydration.

“We really need for people to understand the serious nature of this disease,” said Yancey.

Most healthy people will survive the flu, assured Yancey. However, those suffering from chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and asthma are in a high-risk group because their disease may worsen with influenza. This group is particularly encouraged to get vaccinated.

Other high-risk groups include children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women and individuals who are 50 years old and above.

The household contacts for all of these high-risk groups should get vaccinated in the event that they get the flu and bring it home to their loved ones.

“We encourage those people to get the flu vaccine to protect their families,” Yancey said. “We also strongly encourage healthcare workers to have a flu shot, since they will be coming into contact with their patients.”

For those who are fearful of needles, a nasal-spray flu vaccine is available through healthcare providers. This spray is approved for healthy people from age 5 to 49. Pregnant women are not candidates for this method.

The myth that getting a flu shot can give someone the flu is false, said Yancey. Since it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become effective in the human body, there are cases where people who were exposed to the flu virus prior to the shot and/or before the shot could take effect did fall ill. This is why individuals are encouraged to get their vaccines early during the flu season.

Persons who are allergic to chicken eggs are not eligible for a flu vaccine, because it is an egg-based vaccine. Individuals who have had a severe reaction in the past from the vaccine are ineligible.

If one is seeking a flu shot but is ill with a fever, he or she can only get the vaccine once symptoms clear up.

Side effects of the flu vaccine are minimal, can last a couple of days and vary for each individual. Some side effects may involve soreness or redness at the injection site, a low-grade fever or minor aches. “It’s different for everyone,” said Yancey.

Regardless of whether or not one receives a shot, good health practices include washing hands often during flu season, especially after sneezing and/or coughing and before preparing food. Clean hands help ward off contagious germs.

If one does fall victim to the flu, he or she must rest and drink plenty of liquids. And last, but certainly not least, one who becomes sick should stay home.

“Share friendships, share all kinds of good things, but don’t share the flu.”

Fallbrook flu shot clinics

• Oct. 18 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – CVS Pharmacy (723-5721)

• Nov. 1 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sav-On Pharmacy inside Albertsons

(723-8177)

• Nov. 24 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – CVS Pharmacy (723-5721)

Fallbrook Hospital Flu Shot Hotline: (760) 728-1191, ext. 8535

Information will be recorded on the hotline as soon as shot dates are set.

Flu prevention

By Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention

1. Get vaccinated

2. Stay home when sick

3. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing and/or coughing

4. Wash hands

5. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth

6. Practice other good health habits (get adequate sleep, keep physically fit, manage stress, drink fluids and eat healthy meals)

Flu symptoms

• Fever

• Headache

• Extreme fatigue

• Dry cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle aches

• Stomach symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea)

Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu. Consult a doctor for medication information.