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IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR ANNUAL FLU SHOT -- Some
good flu
season advice from the VA's Mary Velehradsky.
Story here...
http://www.bellevueleader.com/site/tab3.cfm?newsid
=17370673&BRD=2712&PAG=461&dept_id=559850&rfi=6
Story below:
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How many times have you heard "I never get the flu, so why should I get
a flu shot?"
Working in a healthcare system, I have had many opportunities to hear
the answer to that question. Our infectious disease physicians and
nurses have shared the reasons and given us a lot of information about
the flu, how it spreads, and how we can prevent it.
The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness. The flu virus causes
fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. It is one
of the most severe illnesses of the winter season and at times can lead
to death.
Complications of flu include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections
and dehydration, just to name a few. There are serious complications for
those with chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure,
asthma or diabetes.
This is something we should take seriously when you think about the
statistics.
Every year, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu,
more more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications,
and about 36,000 people die from flu.
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or
sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something
with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Did you know that most healthy adults may be able to infect others
beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after
becoming sick? That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone
else even before you know you are sick.
While the majority of people do not get the flu each year, many do.
Maybe you won't get extremely ill from the flu, but would you want to be
one of those people who spread it around to those who do get extremely
ill and perhaps die from complications of the flu?
It is important to cover our coughs and sneezes and clean our hands, but
the single most important way to prevent the flu is to get the
immunization. Don't believe the myths that float around every year - you
will not get the flu from a flu shot.
Immunization is important especially if you or someone in your household
are at risk for having serious flu-related complications.
Flu shots are available from community flu shot clinics or your
healthcare provider.
Veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system can call the flu
hotline (main hospital 346-8800; Option 7) for dates and times of
walk-in clinics and a drive-thru flu shot clinic (new this year).
If you want to reduce your chances of getting the flu, get vaccinated.
Submitted by Mary Velehradsky - VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care
System
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Larry Scott
