Q & A about FLU Shots

The following Q & A should help answer many of your questions about the flu

Keep in mind that you should always discuss your questions or concerns about your personal health condition, care and treatment with your doctor.

Q: What is the seasonal flu shot?

A: The seasonal flu shot is given annually and protects against three common viruses, one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal influenza A (H1N1) virus-not the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus-and one influenza B virus. It is usually administered by injection, typically in the upper arm or shoulder. Seasonal flu shots do not protect against the pandemic H1N1 virus, commonly known as the "Swine Flu."

Q: Why should I get the flu vaccine?

A: The flu vaccine significantly reduces your chance of infection. Each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions such as chronic kidney disease or immune suppression from cancer or kidney transplantation are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications.

Q: Is the pandemic H1N1 virus really a threat this flu season? If so, is there a vaccine?

A: The CDC is predicting that pandemic H1N1 will be a serious threat during the 2009-2010 influenza season. An H1N1 vaccine has been recently developed and will be used in addition, and not as a substitute, to the seasonal flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that pregnant women, caretakers of children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, persons 6 months to 24 years of age, and those people between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 infection because of chronic health disorders such as chronic kidney disease or compromised immune systems such as kidney transplant recipients, be given priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine will be made available to others once sufficient amounts of the vaccine are available.

Q: Do these vaccines have side effects?

A: Influenza vaccines are generally very safe. Mild side effects like soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, or muscle aches may occur. Serious allergic reactions are rare.

Q: Is there anyone who should not receive the flu shot?

A: You should not receive the flu shot if you have ever experienced a severe allergic reaction-known as anaphylaxis-to a previous influenza vaccine, eggs, or any other component of the flu shot, or if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of a prior influenza vaccine. If you have a fever or other moderate or severe acute illness, discuss with your doctor if you should postpone your flu shot until that illness resolves.

Q: Are there any special recommendations for transplant recipients?

A: Yes, transplant recipients can't take the nasal spray because it is a live virus. The CDC recommends that recipients take the non-live virus vaccine (the shot) as it is available.

Q. Where can I find the vaccine when it comes out?

A: Check with your doctor, your children's school and your local public health department. Right now there's no central list of locations where swine flu vaccine will be offered, but the Department of Health and Human Services plans on putting information on http://www.flu.gov/ as soon as possible.

Q. What else can I do to avoid the flu?

According to the CDC there are 10 Ways You Can Stay Healthy at Work, nine of which are in addition to the vaccines.

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
2. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
   [This is a tough one, but perhaps trying to do these things less often]
3. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles
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4. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
5. Do not use other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a coworker's phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first.
6. Don't spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms of flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. CDC recommends that people with flu-like illness stay home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Be sure to contact your supervisor about use of leave for illness or to care for an ill family member.
7. Get vaccinated against seasonal flu. It can protect you against seasonal influenza viruses, but not against 2009 H1N1.
8. Ask your doctor if you should get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. People recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in October are health care workers, children, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). People living with or caring for infants under 6 months old should also be vaccinated to protect these children who are too young to be vaccinated.
9. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, and exercise. http://www.cdc.gov/h1nhttp://www.flu.govcip.htm
10. Learn more. Visit http://www.flu.gov or contact CDC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or mail to cdcinfo@cdc.gov