As a physician, I often see patients coming into my office with fevers, aches, chills and other troublesome symptoms. These cases often rise in the winter and early spring as the flu season grips Indiana. While washing your hands, eating healthy and limiting your contact with potential germs can help, one of the simplest things that you can do to prevent contracting the flu is to make sure you and your children receive a flu vaccine.
The flu is highly contagious, and it is important for everyone to be vaccinated. You may check with your physician about scheduling an appointment to receive the vaccine. Additionally, many health fairs and community flu shot clinics are available to help vaccinate against the flu. Many drug stores also offer the flu vaccine. Medicare and Medicaid cover the vaccine and are accepted at most locations.
While there is not a dangerous flu pandemic in the news so far this season, that does not mean we should assume the flu season will be less severe and thus avoid preventative action. This year, like every year, influenza will strike millions of people, causing everything from a few days of misery to critical illness and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for anyone 6 months of age and older. The vaccine is especially important for those who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia, including:
• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease
• Pregnant women
• People 65 years and older
While most people do not enjoy getting shots, the flu vaccine can be administered as part of a regular wellness visit and given at the same time as other immunizations are given to your children. The regular flu shot is recommended for those 6 months and older, and the high-dose flu vaccine is approved for those 65 and older. The nasal spray vaccine is also an option for healthy people ages 2 through 49, except for women who are pregnant. Both vaccines protect against the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 influenza A virus.
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. It is approved for use in children and adults older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that are sprayed into the nostrils. The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu.
The side effects from the vaccine are typically minor, and research has shown you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some side effects include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever and minor aches. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot is administered and usually last one to two days. Almost all people who receive the influenza vaccine will experience no serious side effects. The nasal spray vaccine can also result in runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting and muscle aches in children.
The flu vaccine generally takes two weeks to provide full protection, so now is the time to be vaccinated. In Marion County, flu season can last from now through late April. The vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Vaccination before December is best since this timing ensures that protective antibodies are in place before flu activity is typically at its highest.
Flu shots are also available at the Marion County Public Health Department’s district health offices. To find out locations and hours, visit MCPHD.com or call the Flu Hotline at 317-221-2121.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center