Health officials are urging people to roll up their sleeves
and prepare for winer, but they are also touting a nasal precaution
to fight the flu.
Nationwide, seven cases of influenza have been confirmed in laboratory
tests by the Centers for Disease Control, though none have been
reported in North Carolina. The CDC expects flu levels to be similar
to last year’s, though it is encouraging more vaccines for
ages 2 to 4 as well as more widespread use of vaccines administered
through a nasal spray.
The traditional flu season is just around the corner, often getting
a jump start from Thanksgiving travel. The flu season typically
peaks in January or February, with vaccines encouraged at any
time during the flu season.
The Watauga County Health Department has started its annual series
of flu clinics, with upcoming clinics at the end of October. Vaccines
are also available from many local drug stores and health-care
providers.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
Symptoms of the flu may include fever, headache, extreme tiredness,
dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.
Stomach ailments such as vomiting and diarrhea can also occur.
Healthy adults may be able to infect others with the flu up to
one day before they start having symptoms.
Health officials say the vaccine is the best way to prevent spread
of the illness, along with good hygiene habits. It takes up to
2 weeks after getting a flu shot for protection to develop.
Watauga County health educator Jennifer Bryan said there’s
a common misperception about the flu shot is that people can become
infected from the vaccine. Flu shots contain inactivated viruses
which have been killed in processing so they do not cause infection.
The traditional vaccine is given through an intravenous injection,
while the nasal vaccine is made with live, weakened forms of the
virus. The nasal vaccine is approved for those between the ages
of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant.
A record number of flu vaccines are expected to be manufactured
this year. The five approved companies will make about 143 million
doses, about 3 million more than last year and well above the
short supplies from several years ago.
The flu kills about 36,000 Americans a year. Those most risk for
developing complications are people age 50 or older, those with
chronic or long-term health problems such as heart disease or
asthma, women who are pregnant during flu season, and children
under 5 years old.
Appalachian District Health Department in Watauga County will
be offering flu and pneumonia vaccinations for the public on Thursday,
Oct. 23 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.; Friday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.;
Thursday, Oct. 30 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.; and Friday, Oct. 31 from
1 to 4:30 p.m.
No appointments are necessary to participate in these clinics.
Flu shots at the health department are $32. Additionally, the
pneumonia vaccine will also be offered for those interested and
costs $48. The health department accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Partners,
Humana insurances as well as those who wish to self-pay.
For more information, call the health department at (828) 264-6635.
For more information on the flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/.
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