Getting Around
Flu Facts
About the flu vaccine…
The flu vaccine provides protection against three strains
of influenza virus. There is one strain of the virus that is circulating this
year that is somewhat different from one of the strains included in the vaccine.
However, the flu vaccine does provide some protection against this different
strain.
This year there are two kinds of flu vaccine:
The flu shot: The flu vaccine that is given as a
shot is now in short supply. This vaccine, if available, is now being given to
people at highest risk for complications from the flu.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine:The vaccine that is sprayed into the nose is a weakened live vaccine that can be used only for healthy people ages 5-49.
Who should get the flu shot when vaccine is in short supply?
People at high risk of complications from flu:
 | all children 6 – 23 months old |
| adults > 65 years old **Because of short supply this year the age has been lowered to 50 years old, and only those fitting these criteria may get the vaccination** |
| pregnant women in their second or third trimester |
| persons aged > 2 years old with underlying chronic conditions |
Who should get the nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMistTM)?
Any healthy person
between the ages of 5 and 49 may receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine.
All people eligible for this vaccine should contact
their provider for more information and visit: http://www.flumist.com for
information about a $25 rebate for FluMistTM. Many insurance
companies are now reimbursing for FluMist.
Simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:
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Wash hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol based hand rub or gel frequently, especially after visiting public places or being in contact with anyone with a cold or the flu. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. |
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Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Turn your head (never cough in the direction of someone else) and cough or sneeze into a tissue. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. |
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Do not take young children, those with immune system problems or the chronically ill into large crowds unnecessarily when the flu is in your community. |
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Avoid close contact (holding, hugging and kissing) with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Be very careful with children, as they are most likely to become sick with the flu. |
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Stay home from work or school and avoid public activities for at least 5 (7 for children) days if you have symptoms of the flu. |
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Do not share items that can spread germs and viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items that you put in your mouth. |
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Clean things that are touched often in household, classroom and child care settings: door or refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets etc. |
About the flu…
What is the flu?
The flu is a very contagious disease of the
respiratory (breathing) system. The flu is easily passed from one person to
another by coughing and sneezing. It is usually very unpleasant, but for most
people symptoms generally get better after 7 –10 days.
The flu usually starts very suddenly with:
| fever (from 102° – 104°) lasting 3 – 4 days |
| headache severe muscle aches |
| general weakness/extreme fatigue |
These symptoms are accompanied by:
| dry cough |
| sore throat |
| runny or stuffy nose |
What to do if you have the flu:
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Rest in bed |
|
Drink lots of fluids |
| Take non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®, Motrin®, etc.). Children and teens with the flu should never take aspirin as they may develop a rare, but serious disease called Reye syndrome |
| Stay home and avoid public activities until your symptoms are resolved (usually 5-7 days) |
| Talk with your health care provider if you are considering prescription drugs as they can have serious side effects in some people |
| For extreme cases, visit your health care provider or the emergency department as soon as possible |
Note: If you are at high risk for complications from the flu (see: Who Should Get the Flu Shot? on reverse side), you should consult your health care provider when your flu symptoms begin. Your doctor may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.
When should you see a health care provider?
You should see a health
care provider or go to an emergency room immediately if you have any of the
symptoms below:
| Severe or prolonged flu symptoms |
| Rapid or labored breathing, or bluish skin |
| Pain or difficulty breathing |
| Becoming sick again with fever and/or a worse cough after flu symptoms have improved |
| Not drinking enough fluids |
| Cough with yellow sputum or phlegm |
Parents should seek
medical attention for infants and children that are:
| Not waking up; not interacting with others |
| So irritable they do not want to be held |
For more information about influenza visit, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ or http://www.state.ma.us/dph/ or call the Massachusetts Immunization Program at 617-983-6800 or 888-658-2850.
To listen to a recorded message about influenza please call
the Public Health Information Hotline of the Division of Epidemiology and
Immunization at 866-627-7968.