Vaccinate now and beat the flu later

Maybe it’s all those television commercials reminding everyone to get a flu shot or maybe it’s because last year’s influenza outbreaks broke records for hospitalizations and death by flu, either way, Daviess County Public Health Educator Mallory Swartzentruber and Public Health Nurse Kathy Sullender are keeping busy giving flu shots.

“In 2017, we gave 594 flu shots,” said Sullender. “Through Wednesday, we’ve already given 306 this year.”

Swartzentruber said many of those coming to the health department for vaccinations are families.

“We are seeing more families come in than usual and that’s a good thing,” she said, adding it’s best to call the Daviess County Health Department to set up an appointment. “We’ve had several families from surrounding counties come here too. People want to protect their families and we are here to serve everybody.”

The Center for Disease Control reports 180 children died from the flu last year. That’s second only to the 2009 swine flu outbreak that killed 358 children — the worse case in the 14 years since child deaths from the flu have been tracked.

“It’s recommended that anyone over the age of 6 months get vaccinated,” said Swartzentruber. “It takes two weeks for the vaccine to really become effective and even if you do end up with the flu, it will still decrease your symptoms. You may have it worse if you don’t get vaccinated.”

Swartzentruber said the flu vaccine, which reduces the odds of getting the virus that hung around the country fro 19 weeks last year, reduces the chance of catching the nasty bug by 40 to 60 percent.

“The flu isn’t like mumps or polio or the other vaccinations we give,” said Swartzentruber. “Those are things that don’t change much, but the flu, it changes every year. Every year, the vaccine has to be reformulated because the virus is always different.”

This year, Swartzentruber said those coming to the Daviess County Health Department will receive the quadrivalent formula regardless of age.

The quadrivalent vaccine contains two A and two B strains of the virus.

Just because last year’s vaccine wasn’t as effective, Swartzentruber said doesn’t mean this year’s won’t be.

“It’s still important to get vaccinated not just to protect you and your family but to protect others too,” said Swartzentruber who said there are some individuals who are immunocompromised who are unable to be vaccinated.

While most insurance covers the preventative vaccination, Swartzentruber said those without insurance can receive the vaccination for $8 but the cost should never prevent someone from getting a flu shot.

“The cost doesn’t matter. We have programs that can help cover that if someone needs one,” she said.

So far, no positive cases of the flu have been reported. By the time the season hits, Sullender said she’s hopeful most people will already be vaccinated.

“We’re hoping by the time the flu starts really circulating, most people will already have the shot so it won’t be as bad,” she said.

For more information on flu vaccines or to schedule an appointment at the Daviess County Health Department call 812-254-8666.

Tips to prevent the flu

• Vaccinate yourself. Anyone over the age of 6 months can receive a flu vaccine.

• Properly wash your hands frequently. To clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, wash with soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner if water is not available.

• Cover your cough and sneeze. Use your elbow or upper arm, instead of your hands, or a tissue to cover your mouth and nose or when you cough or sneeze. Immediately throw used tissues into the wastebasket.

• Contain your germs by staying home or keeping children home if sick. If you get influenza, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. This will help prevent others from catching your illness and gives your body the rest it needs to recover.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Many diseases often spread this way.

Stomach “flu,” influenza or the common cold

Seasonal Influenza

• Caused by Influenza A or Influenza B viruses

Prevention

Annual flu immunization protects against strains circulating each season.

Signs and symptoms

Usually involves whole body

Symptoms, which appear quickly, include aches, pains, chills and headaches

Can cause extreme tiredness and may last two to three weeks

Causes a fever that can begin suddenly and can last three to four days

Coughing is another typical sign

Common cold

• Caused by many different kinds of viruses but NOT the influenza virus

Prevention

Cannot be prevented by immunization

Signs and symptoms

Never involves whole body

Symptoms gradually appear and rarely cause a headache, chills, aches, pains or extreme tiredness

Sometimes is accompanied by a fever and cough

Stomach “flu”

• Commonly caused by norovirus. There are many causes for an upset stomach but NOT caused by the influenza virus

Prevention

Cannot be prevented by immunization

Signs and symptoms

Never involves whole body

Symptoms appear quickly and can include headache, chills, aches, pains and extreme tiredness

Rarely is accompanied by a fever or cough

SOURCE: Center for Disease Control

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