Infants, young children, those ages 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your coworkers will resent the fact that you’re at home and race back to the office before you’re ready; chances are they’ll resent it much more if you pass your illness to them. Immunization against the flu is important to the community as it not only protects those receiving the vaccine, but also family, friends and coworkers.
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“The flu should not be taken lightly”, said Dirk Haselow, MD, State Epidemiologist at ADH.
Next Week, on October 13 Coos Health and Wellness will hold a flu shot clinic in Lakeside at the Lions club from 1 p.m.to 4 p.m. Health officials said it is impossible to predict what kind of influenza season to expect in 2017-18. Some years, that assessment is more accurate than others. Previously, it was recommended that people with the allergy be given a vaccine under the supervision of a doctor familiar with managing severe allergic reactions so they can be observed for half an hour after the vaccination. She hadn’t felt a thing, she said. Previous research has shown such T-cells can help fight more than one type of flu virus.
Aside from their own health, the Northwell Health geriatric education director pointed out another risk associated with not getting the vaccination.
Whether the vaccines will be effective for the winter flu season remains to be seen, but cases of mismatch have happened before.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH rolled up their sleeves and received their annual flu shots in Jackson.
Dr. Rebecca Butler of Lantana Pediatrics said numerous same discussions are had with parents each year around this time. “You’ll find the medical world quite divided as to the benefits of the high-potency as to the regular one”, she said. It’s not the only measure that seniors can take to be careful during influenza season, though.
Depending on the vaccine, it protects against three or four strains of the virus, and though the vaccine may not protect against all strains of the virus, should you get sick, it helps reduce the severity of the illness and associated symptoms. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.
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Find out more by visiting www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on Twitter and Facebook.
