You Don’t Have to Dread Flu Season
The only thing worse than getting the flu is knowing you could have done more to help prevent it.
Influenza (flu) isn’t alwaysconsidered a minor illness.Flu complications can includebacterial pneumonia anddehydration. It can also makechronic conditions like heartfailure, asthma or diabetesworse.
Seasonal flu is a contagiousrespiratory illness caused byinfluenza viruses.
Each year, the flu causes:
- 5 to 20 percent of theUnited States population tobecome ill.
- More than 200,000 peopleto be hospitalized.
- About 36,000 deaths.
The best way to prevent theflu is to get a flu shot eachyear. Flu shots don’t cause fluillness but can help your bodyfight the flu if you’re exposedto it.
This year, the Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) recommend
that you get a seasonal flushot as soon as the vaccineis available (as early as
September). Check with yourprovider to see when you canget a shot.
The CDC recommends yearlyflu vaccines for many people,including:
- People ages 50 and older.
- People of any age withcertain chronic conditions.
- Anyone in close contactwith children under age 5, orwith adults ages 50 and older.
- Women who will bepregnant during flu season.
Beyond the flu shot, here aresome simple things you can doto help prevent the spread ofthe flu virus:
- Avoid contact with peoplewho are sick.
- Stay home when you’resick. Avoid public places toprevent others from catchingyour illness.
- Cover your mouth andnose. Cough or sneeze into atissue and throw it away. Notissue nearby? Better to coughor sneeze into your elbow orarm (and not your hands) soothers avoid your germs.
- Wash your hands oftenwith soap and water. Alcohol-basedhand sanitizers can alsohelp protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes,nose or mouth. Illness canspread when a person touchessomething contaminated withgerms and then touches his orher eyes, nose or mouth.
- Practice good healthhabits every day. Get plentyof sleep, be physically active,manage your stress, drinkplenty of fluids and eatnutritious food.
Breaking news
This year, the CDC is recommending a separate vaccineseries (more than one shot) to protect against the newH1N1 flu virus. The vaccine should be available this fall.
- People who are at risk for H1N1 and need this extraprotection include:
- Pregnant women.People who live with or care for children younger than6 months old.
- Health care and emergency medical workers.
- All people ages 6 months through 24 years.
- People ages 25 through 64 whose health conditionsput them at higher risk of complications from flu.
Check with your doctor to find out if the H1N1 fluvaccine is right for you.
For the most current CDC recommendations andinformation, visit or
This information is brought to you through collaboration between your chamber, NOACC and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.