Influenza vaccine: what you need to know.
1. Why get vaccinated?
Influenza is a serious disease. It is caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. The “influenza season” in the U.S. is from November to March or April each year.
Influenza can cause:
• fever • soar throat • chills
• cough • headache • muscle aches
People of any age can get influenza. Most people are ill with influenza for only a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among the elderly. Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.
2. Influenza vaccine
The viruses that cause influenza change often. Because of this, influenza vaccine is updated each year by replacing at least one of the vaccine viruses with a newer one. This is done to make sure the influenza vaccine is as up-to-date as possible. Protection develops about two weeks after the shot and may last up to a year.
3. Who should get influenza vaccine?
People at risk for getting a serious case of influenza or complications - or people in close contact with them - should get the vaccine. These include:
• everyone 65 years of age or older.
• residents of long term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions.
• anyone who has a serious long-term health problem with:
• heart disease • kidney disease
• lung disease • metabolic disease, such as diabetes
• asthma • anemia, and other blood disorders
• anyone whose immune system is weakened because of:
• HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affect the immune system
• long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
• cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
• anyone six months to 18 years of age on long term aspirin treatment (who could develop Reye Syndrome if they catch influenza).
• women who will be past the third month of pregnancy during the influenza season.
• physicians, nurses, family members, or anyone else coming in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza.
Others who should consider getting influenza vaccine include:
• people who provide essential community services.
• travelers to the Southern hemisphere between April and September, or those traveling to the tropics any time.
• students and staff at schools and colleges, to prevent out breaks.
• anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching influenza.
4. When should I get influenza vaccine?
This year, the recommendation is the end of October through December. A new shot is needed each year.
5. Can I get influenza even though I get the vaccine this year?
Yes. Influenza viruses change often, and they might not always be covered by the vaccine. But people who do get influenza despite being vaccinated often have a milder case than those who did not get the shot.
Also, to many people “the flu” is any illness with fever and cold symptoms. They may expect influenza vaccine to prevent these illnesses. But influenza vaccine is effective only against illness caused by influenza viruses, and not against other causes of fever and colds.
6. Some people should consult with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine.
Consult with a doctor before getting an influenza vaccination if you:
1) ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous dose of influenza vaccine or
2) have a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
If you are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, you should usually wait until you recover before getting influenza vaccine. Talk to your doctor or nurse about rescheduling the vaccination.
7. What are the risks from influenza vaccine?
A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. The viruses in the vaccine are killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
Mild problems:
• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• fever
• aches
If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last one to two days.
8. What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
What should I look for?
• Any unusual condition, such as high fever or behavior changes. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.
What should I do?
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away
PMHH offers free classes for the public
Keep October 11 and October 26 open on your calendars since you won't want to miss two classes PMHH is offering the community - "Changing food supply: How safe is it?" and "Violence-Depression-Suicide: How safe are our schools?"
"We believe we have a responsibility to the people in this area to educate them about health concerns and health related issues," stated administrator, Chuck Hofius. "We are fortunate that we have available to us many resources, including our staff and affiliations, in taking an aggressive role in sharing health information with the community," he emphasized.
The classes are free of charge and are open to everyone. To register or for more information, please call the hospital at 346-4500.
Here's a closer look at the upcoming classes:
Changing food supply: How safe is it?
Date: Monday, October 11, 1999
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Location: hospital community room
A representative from the Minnesota Department of Health will speak about the safety of our food supply and what factors each of us needs to know to reduce the risk of contracting food-borne illness. Learn how bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E-coli are contracted. Is a person more likely to catch a food-borne illness at home or eating out? How safe is your kitchen? These are just a few of the topics this class will cover.
Violence-Depression-Suicide: How safe are our schools?
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 1999
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Prairie Wind Middle School cafetorium
The concern for the safety of children in school has increased dramatically. Attend this session and hear through a panel discussion what area schools are doing to keep our kids safe. The panel will also communicate the risk factors to look for in a child with violent tendencies, and the risk factors associated with a child who may be suffering from depression or contemplating suicide. In addition to school personnel from Frazee, New York Mills, and Perham, Otter Tail County Sheriff Gary Nelson and Monique Sebring Avant, LGSW, Regional Director for the Village Family Service Center will participate in the panel discussion. This is a must attend for all parents of school-age children.
