Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu and to prevent the spread of the flu:
- Regularly wash your hands with water and soap for at least 15 seconds. If you do not have access to a sink, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after direct contact with an infected person.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Use tissues or your sleeve to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
- Wipe surfaces (door knobs, telephones, sink handles) with disinfectants.
- Get the flu vaccine (for more information, please see below)
FLU VACCINE
Vaccinations usually start in September and continue throughout the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get the flu vaccine if you meet the following criteria:
- Are older than 6 months of age
- Are NOT allergic to chicken eggs
- Are NOT diagnosed with Guillan Barre Syndrome
- Are NOT experiencing moderate to severe fever
When getting the vaccine, you have two types of vaccine to choose from: the traditional flu shot or nasal spray.
The Flu Shot
- The flu shot contains the killed influenza virus and is injected into your muscles with a needle. It is given to people who are 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women. Even though there have been concerns about thimerosal, a preservative found in flu shots, there has not been any documented evidence that thimerosal will harm the pregnant woman or fetus.
The Nasal Spray (FluMist)
- The nasal spray contains the live but weakened influenza virus and is sprayed into each nostril. It is only given to healthy people between 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
- If you have had the flu before, then your body ‘s immune system can effectively fight that particular influenza virus that caused your flu. However, the influenza virus is always changing. So, it is important to get the flu vaccine each year. The vaccine provides protection against the three influenza viruses that are most likely to cause the flu for that particular year.
References
1. GeneTech. What is the Flu? 2011. Available at: http://www.flufacts.com/know/what-is.jsp. Accessed on October 21, 2011.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza. July 14, 2011. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm#whatis. Accessed on October 21, 2011.
3. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. August 20, 2011. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/influenza/DS00081. Accessed on October 21, 2011.
4. Scolaro, Kelly. APhA Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: Chapter 11 Disorders Related to Colds and Allergy. 16th Edition, Washington DC: American Pharmacists Association, 2010.
5. Dugdale, David and David Zieve. Upper Respiratory Tract. November 14, 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19378.htm. Accessed on October 14, 2011.
6. Dugdale, David. Influenza vaccines. October 13, 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/9469.htm. Accessed on October 21, 2011.
7. Zieve, David. Flu. April 26, 2011. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000080.htm. Accessed on October 21, 2011.
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