Routine Care & Wellness

Influenza

Prevention

There is a vaccine to protect against influenza. Because the influenza virus changes from year to year, it is important to get vaccinated against influenza on an annual basis.

Symptoms

Typical influenza illness is characterized by abrupt onset of high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain. Unlike other common respiratory infections which are often called "the flu", true influenza can cause extreme fatigue lasting several days to weeks.

Vaccine Safety

The vaccine is very safe and effective and generally has few side effects. You cannot get influenza from the vaccine. There may be some soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site. Other possible mild side effects include a headache and low-grade fever for a day after the vaccination. As with any medicine, there are very small risks those serious problems, even death, could occur after getting a vaccine. However, the risks from the disease are much greater than the risks from the vaccine.

Who should get influenza vaccine?

• People 65 years of age and older.
• People with chronic disorders of the lungs or heart.
• People who are less able to fight infections because of a disease they are born with, infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), treatment with drugs such as long- term steroids, and/or treatment for cancer with x-rays or drugs.
• People who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), kidney diseases, and blood cell diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
• Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities housing anyone of any age with chronic medical conditions.
• Health care workers and others in contact with people in high-risk groups.
• Teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and might be at risk for developing Reye's syndrome after influenza.
• Anyone who wishes to reduce his or her chance of catching influenza, particularly those who provide essential community services.

• As many as 20,000 Americans die each year from flu-related illness.
• Influenza vaccine is paid for by Medicare Part B.
• You cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
• Pneumonia and influenza together are the fifth leading cause of death for older adults.
• Since influenza viruses change from year to year, an annual influenza shot is necessary each fall.
• Influenza can be prevented with a safe, effective vaccine.
• The annual direct medical costs of influenza are estimated at up to $4.6 billion. Total direct and indirect costs of a severe flu epidemic are at least $12 billion.
• Influenza vaccine can prevent up to 50% to 60% of hospitalizations and 80% of deaths from influenza-related complications among the elderly.
• The 1918 Spanish flu outbreak killed over 500,000 people in the United States and over 20 million worldwide. The 1968-69 "Hong Kong flu" outbreak led to 34,000 deaths in the United States.
• Influenza vaccine will not protect you from other respiratory infections, such as colds and bronchitis, commonly called "the flu".
• Influenza can worsen chronic heart disease, lung disease, and bacterial or viral pneumonia. It can also lead to hospitalization and death, especially among the elderly

These facts about influenza are courtesy of the
National Coalition of Adult Immunization

to reach their organization, please click here for more information.