It is flu season again

Children and adults should get flu and pneumonia vaccinations

Posted

“Everyone should get a flu shot,” according to Dr. Aaron Glatt, infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at South Nassau Communities Hospital [SNCH]. Young children, adults, the elderly, even pregnant women should get the shot, and you can’t get the flu from the shot.”

Residents can get a free flu shot at South Nassau's upcoming Health & Wellness Fair to be held Saturday, Oct. 17 between 11 AM and 2 PM (while supplies last).

The fair also offers free health screenings for asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index and other conditions along with educational materials on a host of health topics. For more information, call 516-377-5333.

There are two strains of flu; “A” strains such as California flu 2009 H1N1 and Texas flu 2012, and B strains, such as Massachusetts flu 2012 and Brisbane flu 2008. Experts travel to Asia in January each year to determine which strains of Asian Bird Flu are prevalent, and develop our vaccines to match those.

The general flu shot works for most people. Pregnant women should get inactive vaccine, not the live attenuated vaccine. Elderly people might talk to their doctors about a higher (double) dose shot, as their immune systems are slower to produce antibodies. Young children can get the spray for ease of administration.

Glatt said there are the trivalent shot, which has two “A” strains and one “B”, and the quadvalent shot that has two of each strain. Most flu shots are grown on eggs. For those allergic to eggs there are genetically grown shots available.

“The more sick you are, with heart disease, diabetes or the like the more you should get the shot,” Glatt added. “It uses a small needle, is intradermal or in the skin as opposed to deep in muscle, and the person giving the shot usually pinches the skin. Most people can’t tell if they got the shot or just the pinch.”

Most health care professionals, who administer flu shots, including drug stores, carry both adult and high-dose vaccines. The flu shot is good for a year.

Droplets spread the flu, which is why you should sneeze into your elbow instead of your hand. You’re contagious for 72 hours before symptoms appear, so you could be spreading the flu and not even know it. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, and a fever of 101 or higher. There’s a nasal test for flu that can be administered by a doctor. Each virus only lives about 72 hours, but they keep replicating, so the illness continues for about seven to 10 days, and you’re infectious until your symptoms are gone.

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