Flu Season is Here

The flu season is here. You have got to make the important decision to take the flu vaccine or not. Maybe you have children or you are a care taker for your elderly parent and really don't know if they should take this vaccine or not.

Did you know that , as of August 6, 2007, there have already been 68 children that have died because of flu complications during the 2006-07 season? About 5 to 20% of the population in the United States get the flu every year. Close to 40,000 people die and more then 200,000 people are in the hospital, some with serious complications that all stem from the different strains of the flu.

The best way to protect against the deadly flu virus is to get your vaccine every year

There are two ways that you can get the vaccine

Flu Shot- This is the one that most people prefer...an inactive vaccine(containing the killed virus) given with a needle, mostly in the arm. The flu shot is approved for most people. babies over 6 months, people with chronic medical conditions, The elderly, some living in nursing homes and other long term care facilities and your average healthy individuals.

Nasal-spray- made with live, though weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu . Sometimes this is called "LAIV" which stands for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine or "FluMist" . This is approved for use in healthy people that are between the ages of 2-49 and who are not pregnate. This is not used for anyone that has a chronic medical condition.

Do not vaccinate

If you have a severe allergy to chicken eggs

If you have a child less then 6 months

If you have Guillain-Barre Syndrome(GBS)

If you have ever had a severe reaction to the influenza vaccine in the past

If you or your child have a fever or viral illness, you should wait until the symtoms are gone

Vaccine sometimes does have these side effects

fever-usually less then 100 degrees..sometimes a tylenol is given

Aches and Pains in your joints..which usually go away after you take a tylenol

Soreness..where you got the shot..but this will subside after a little while

LAIV or (FluMist)

Runny nose

Mild headache

Mild sore throat

The best time to get vaccinated is between the months of October or November. You still can get your vaccinations in December or later but the flu season has usually already started.

It usually takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for the antibodies that provide protection against the flu virus to develop in the body so timing is crucial.

Even if you take the flu vaccine, you can still develope the flu but it will be much milder with a lot less complications.

For more information about the flu vaccine and where you can find one in your area...www.flucliniclocator.org just enter your zip code and your will receive infomation about the different clinics scheldule and their exact location.

To get more information about the flu vaccines and the different strains that are going around go to www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts