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Tried and true
flu shot proves to be the
best defense against influenza this year.
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It is that time of year when
people of all ages start worrying about the flu season. The concern is real and
prevention is important. The influenza
virus can be extremely serious. Every
year thousands of people are hospitalized due to the flu. Approximately 46,000 people die annually from
flu complications. Each year new strains
of the virus circulate making being vaccinated annually very important.
For the past couple of years a
nasal vaccine called FluMist was available.
It was used with small children so to avoid the painful poke of the
injection. Unfortunately this type of
vaccine has been proven rather ineffective in beating influenza last
season. Recently the AAP (American Academy
of Pediatrics) recommended that
everyone aged 6 months and older get the tried and true flu shot to ward off
getting sick this flu season. The
inactivated influenza vaccine (trivalent or quadrivalent) was proved 63%
effective against last season’s flu strains whereas the nasal spray version was
only 3%. This could mean that there will
be more demand for the vaccination than normal.
The AAP encourages everyone to
get their flu shot no later than October to be protected against the virus for
the entire season. The length of flu
season is unpredictable and outbreaks of flu can occur even in the spring, so
healthcare providers are encouraged to provide the vaccine up to June
2017.
The very young and the very old
are at high risk from flu complications.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) getting the flu shore
reduces the chances of catching the flu by up to 90%. Other preventative measures include practicing
good hand hygiene, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing and maintaining
a clean living environment. One
especially helpful preventative measure is avoiding exposure to the flu by
staying at home during the peak of the season.
Deb
Hintz is Assistant to the Director for HomeAid Health Care. HomeAid provides
services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.
HomeAid is sister company to MedAid Staffing which provides trained Caregivers
to serve the staffing needs of local facilities as well as educational training
classes for Caregivers. Both companies are associated with Prairie Home
Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health
needs of their residents since 1999. Together the three family owned and
operated companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley
area of Wisconsin.
Sources:
www.medscape.com. Medical News, 9/6/16.
www.mystatesman.com. Nicole Villalpando, 8/20/16.
