William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-11-01 / 11. szám
HealthPage A shot in the arm The sooner you get vaccinated against the flu, the better IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED YOUR flu shot already, what are you waiting for? Don't let misinformation, hearsay or popular myths dissuade you from protecting yourself against serious illness. Influenza can be prevented with a high degree of success when a person receives the current influenza vaccine or influenza shot. This vaccine is made each year so that the vaccine can contain influenza viruses that are expected to cause illness that year. The viruses in the vaccine are inactivated so that someone vaccinated cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Instead the person vaccinated develops protection in his or her body in the form of substances called antibodies. The amount of antibodies in the body is greatest one or two months after vaccination and then gradually declines. For that reason and because the influenza viruses usually change each year, people should be vaccinated each fall with the new vaccine. If you're still hesitant to get your Health Links To learn more about influenza, its symptoms, the latest vaccine and where to go to get your flu shot, contact your doctor or log onto the following websites: O www.lungusa.org This is the website of the American Lung Association and is packed with the latest information available about the flu. 0 www.findaflushotcom/lungusa This site allows you to find the nearest provider of flu shots simply by inserting your zip code. shot, read through our little "True & False" about influenza...then go get your shot! TRUE: People can die from the flu. Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious disease of the lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 114,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of the flu. Most who die are 65 years and older. But children younger than 2 years old are as likely as those over 65 to have to go to the hospital because of the flu. TRUE: Even if I get flu vaccine, I can still get a mild case of the flu. Flu vaccine protects most people from the flu. A person who receives flu vaccine can get the flu but will be far less sick than someone who has flu and has not received flu vaccine. Flu vaccine does not protect you from other viruses that sometimes feel like the flu. FALSE: The side effects are worse than the flu. The worst side effect you're likely to get with injectable vaccine is a sore arm. The nasalspray flu vaccine might cause nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or cough. The risk of allergic reaction to flu vaccine is far less than the risk of severe complications from flu itself. TRUE: Not everyone can take the flu vaccine. You might not be able to get this protection if you are allergic to eggs (used in making the injectable vaccine), and very sick with a high fever, or have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. FALSE: Only older people need flu vaccine. Adults and children with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease need to get flu vaccine. And people who are active and healthy can also benefit from the protection the flu vaccine offers. FALSE: You must get a flu vaccine before December. Flu vaccine can be given before or during the flu season. The best time to get your influenza shot is between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15. Such a yearly vaccination has been found to be about 75 percent effective in preventing influenza. It may also reduce the severity of influenza and can be lifesaving. However, it's okay to get the shot earlier, since the vaccine takes about two weeks to begin its effect. A later vaccination can also provide substantial protection. Until the flu season is over, it's never "too late" to get a flu shot. If the potential cost of the shot is stopping you, please remember that the influenza shot is covered by Medicare and some other health plans. Whether or not you receive a flu shot, you should see your doctor at the first sign of influenza symptoms. The quicker you address these symptoms, the better your chances of lessening the severity and duration of your illness. ffilliu P*u Life, November 2003 5
