Archive for February, 2009

Flu Vaccinations

The correct terminology for the flu is Influenza; it is a viral infection which is spread by droplet infection. It’s caught when people breathe in these droplet infections which have become airborne when the infected person has either sneezed or coughed into the air. It can also be transmitted via hard surfaces by contaminated hands etc.

The flu whilst rarely fatal nowadays can be further complicated if it develops into either a sever chest/upper respiratory infection or pneumonia. These complications often need hospital treatment and can sometimes be fatal.

The flu virus is active all the year round, but is especially prevalent in winter months. This is probably due to the fact that people are more likely to stay indoors during the winter months breathing in the infected air of someone else who has the virus.

There are safe and effective vaccines against the flu and it is recommended that those people who are most at risk of developing the virus should be inoculated. This includes

* Anyone who has some type of lung disease
* Anyone suffering from Diabetes
* Anyone who has asthma
* Anyone suffering from heart, kidney, liver disease,
* Anyone who has a lowered immunity
* Health care professionals

If you are at risk of developing the flu virus, you should have a flu vaccination every year. The reason for this is because the virus mutates over a short period of time and the previous year’s vaccination becomes ineffective against the new strain.

Unfortunately it can be quite difficult to predict the strain of flu virus that will be the most prevalent. Scientists and doctors work hard to predict the most likely, but sometimes they get it wrong. If they do, then unfortunately even though you have been vaccinated against a specific type of flu, there may be the possibility that you will develop another strain that you’ve not been vaccinated against.

There is a school of thought amongst some people that flu vaccinations can give them the flu. This simply isn’t true. Though some people may experience symptoms of a heavy cold after they have received their flu vaccination it is usually because they were developing one anyway. Remember there are lots of lots of cold viruses about in the autumn and winter.

One major misconception about the flu vaccination is that it will protect people against the common cold. This is not the case. The flu vaccination only protects against a specific flu virus not any other viruses.

The flu vaccination is usually available from around October onwards, though it is a good idea to take it as early as possible, it can be given at any time throughout the winter months. 

Tags: flu vaccination, influenza, flu virus

Your Child and the Flu

Did you know that children are up to 3 times more likely to get the flu than adults? Children ages 6 to 10 have the highest rate of flu according to the latest statistics. Children have less natural immunity built up than adults do which is one reason why they have higher incidents of flu. Children also usually have more exposure to the flu virus including close contact at school or daycare.

You can help your child by preventing the flu and by treating the flu at the first sign of flu symptoms.

Your child may have the flu if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Dry cough
Fever, possibly high
Chills
Muscle aches
Headaches
Stomach problems such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

Your child’s pediatrician can tell you about recommended treatment options and also about how to prevent the flu.

You have options when it comes to fighting the flu: vaccines to prevent the flu, antivirals, over-the-counter treatments, and non-medical alternatives to help relieve the symptoms. You can also help your child by showing your child how to properly wash hands and how to cover the mouth and nose after coughing and sneezing. Flu vaccines help your child by preventing or lessening the severity of the flu. The flu vaccine is not always 100% effective because each year there are different flu strains and they may not be the same strain as is going around that particular year. The flu vaccine can be given in two different methods (shot and nasal spray). Antivirals are prescription medications that can actually attack the flu virus once your child exhibits symptoms of the flu. Antivirals must be given within 48 hours of the initial flu symptoms. Oseltamivir, Zanamivir, Amantadine, and Rimantadine are antivirals. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments used for the flu are analgesics, antihistamines, expectorants, cough suppressants, and decongestants. OTCs can help bring relief from the specific symptoms that your child is experiencing. Non-medical alternatives are those things you can do for your child without giving medications such as making sure they wash their hands often properly, and teaching them to use a tissue when sneezing, coughing or wiping the nose.

The flu is more dangerous than most people realize especially for the elderly and young child (6 months to 10 years of age). Any child suffering from a chronic condition or who has a compromised immune system is at high risk for not only the flu but for complications from the flu. Your child’s pediatrician will advice you about what to do to help prevent your child from getting the flu possibly by giving your child a flu vaccine. You can also learn ways to prevent the spread of the flu virus in your home by showing everyone the proper way to wash hands and to make sure that every family member washes their hands frequently especially before eating. It is very important that everyone learns how to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing because the flu virus is spread through the air after someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes and doesn’t cover their mouth. 

Tags: child and flu, flu