State officials urging vaccination for flu

Without flu shots, dodging the flu between October and May is like trying to keep your hair neat and dry in a typhoon.

That’s because your average flu virus comes in sundry types, subtypes and strains. As your body learns to fight one strain, a new one blows in. To regain the edge against this highly adaptable disease, you and your family need to get all of your recommended flu vaccines.

Unlike the similar but milder common cold, flu is nothing to sneeze at. Up to 40,000 U.S. deaths are linked to seasonal flu each year, most among people over 65.
“Getting a shot is the one best way to prevent flu, which can cause serious, sometimes deadly complications,” said Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services.

The new H1N1 virus will require its own vaccine. Much of the concern over H1N1 is that its greatest danger is to school-age children, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions.

“Most people recover on their own,” Lakey said. Nevertheless, “[we] still have a population with no natural immunity built up. This flu season will be a challenge.”

Anyone 6 months or older should get the vaccines. You can take them in shot or nasal spray form. For the nasal spray, you have to be healthy, between 2 and 49 years old, and not pregnant. The vaccines usually take effect in about two weeks.

Dr. Lakey also advises some basic practices to guard against cold and flu:

Clean: Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

Cover: Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don’t have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.

Contain: Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay at home until you’re well again, so you don’t spread more germs.
The flu usually gives you a fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough — it’s more intense than a cold. If you just have a sore throat or runny or stuffy nose, chances are you’re safe to go to school or work.

Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than adults.
The catch is, you might not know you have the flu until after you’ve already spread it to someone else. Adults can infect others a day before they develop symptoms and five days afterward. Children can pass it along for longer than a week.

To find out more, including the latest advice on H1N1 flu, go to www.dshs.state.tx.us.