You may not consider yourself to be at much risk of coming down
with the flu. But if you are a parent, a co-worker or part of a
household where someone has a chronic disease, you may be more
vulnerable to its complications than you realize.
Unlike some past years, flu vaccine supplies this year are
plentiful. And regional health care experts are urging people to
take advantage of it, preferably in the next few weeks.
"Not only do you not lose as many days of work or school, but we
know that schoolchildren are more likely to spread it among
themselves and bring it home to younger siblings," said Joyce
Allers, manager of school health for child health promotion at
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia, in the United
States.
"We also know that when you have a flu vaccine, you can decrease
the incidence of even ear infections by 30 percent."
Particularly troubling to health experts is that last year fewer
than half the 218 million people considered at higher risk -
primarily infants and small children, seniors, people with chronic
conditions and their caregivers - actually received the flu
vaccine. As a result, more than 200,000 people were hospitalized
with the flu, and 36,000 people died of complications from the
virus.
Some of the people who are most lax about getting vaccinated are
the very ones who should know best: health care providers. Last
year, only about 41 percent were vaccinated, even though they are
at greater risk of being exposed to flu and passing it on to their
patients and colleagues. As a result, there is a major push this
year among health care organizations to make sure that their
employees are vaccinated.
"We don't need to have any of our staff absent during the flu
season because we need everybody present and accounted for to take
care of our patients," Allers said.
Who should not get vaccinated?
People who are allergic to chicken eggs or egg products.
People who have had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the
past.
People who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, an
inflammatory disorder that affects the peripheral nerves, within
six weeks of getting the flu vaccine in the past.
Children younger than six months of age.
Anyone who is sick with a fever should wait until his or her
symptoms clear up before getting the flu vaccine.
Who needs the vaccine the most?
People at higher risk of being exposed to the flu or of
developing complications from the virus should definitely be
vaccinated, according to health officials. And this recommendation
applies to a large group of people including:
Children ages six months to five years of age
People older than 50
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
Adults and children with chronic conditions or immune
deficiencies
Caregivers of young children or adults older than 50
Household contacts of any person who is at heightened risk of
complications from flu
Residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities.
Cold or flu?
It can be tricky to tell the difference between a severe cold
and the flu because both are respiratory illnesses and many of the
symptoms are similar. A cold tends to impact the nose, throat or
chest. The flu affects the entire body and tends to be more severe
than a cold. Flu can lead to more serious illnesses such as
pneumonia or bronchitis. A typical case of the flu will run its
course in five to seven days. A cold can last for three weeks or
longer, but people usually begin to feel better in seven to 10
days.
Treatment options
Antiviral agents. There are prescription drugs that can
potentially speed recovery from the flu if they are taken within
two days of the appearance of symptoms. They also can be used to
prevent the flu in the case of a recent outbreak or exposure to the
flu.
There are two antiviral medications recommended by the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is recommended for people ages one
and older, and zanamivir (Relenza), recommended for people ages
seven and older. These medications are appropriate for individuals
who cannot receive the flu vaccine because of an allergy or other
reasons, and people who are particularly vulnerable to
complications from the flu, said Mitchel Rothholz, chief of staff
of the American Pharmacists Association in Washington, DC.
However, Rothholz cautioned that you should not take an
antiviral medication if you plan to receive the LAIV vaccine
(FluMist) in the next 48 hours. Also, he said people should stay
away from antiviral medications for at least two weeks after they
have received the LAIV vaccine. LAIV is made from weakened virus
and does not cause influenza.
Analgesics. A number of other medications can provide relief
from symptoms of the flu. For example, analgesics such as
acetaminophen and ibuprofen will reduce fever and ease the pain
associated with headaches, body aches and sore throat. Make sure
the dosages you use are appropriate, particularly with respect to
children. Also, children should not be given aspirin because of its
association with Reye's syndrome. Be careful about the use of some
stomach-coating medicines because many of them contain aspirin.
Other cold/flu remedies. Decongestants can be used for a stuffy
nose or congestion, and antihistamines are appropriate for sneezing
or a runny nose. However, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta does not
recommend the use of these medications in children, especially kids
younger than two. In fact, just weeks ago, manufacturers
voluntarily pulled cough and cold medications aimed at infants and
toddlers off the market. A Food and Drug Administration advisory
panel voted to ban scores of over-the-counter cough and cold
products intended for children younger than age six. The FDA has
not yet made a final decision.
As an alternative, a steamy bathroom or a warm bath can provide
children with some relief from congestion. A humidifier can be
helpful as well.
Combination products. Be careful about the use of any
multisymptom cold and flu remedies. "The important thing is to look
at the ingredients on whatever product the patient is taking,"
stressed?Rothholz, noting that many people take products that
have combinations of different classes of drugs, and then will take
a second medication not realizing that they already have taken the
maximum recommended dose in the combination product. "Particularly
with a younger child ... talk to your pharmacist or physician about
what best meets your needs rather than taking the gunshot
approach."
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
American Pharmacists Association, Children's Healthcare of
Atlanta
(Shanghai Daily November 14, 2007)