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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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September 25, 2007 |
A Publication of QVHD |
Annual Flu Shots
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
Fall has arrived! And with
fall underway, the flu and cold season is just around the corner! Not
every winter illness is the flu, although everybody refers to most upper
respiratory illness as such during cold weather months. True flu
is characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache,
sore throat, non-productive cough and muscle aches, lasting 3 to7 days
or longer. Most persons who get the flu recover without any further
health problems. But certain people can develop health complications
like pneumonia. These persons include: Persons 65 years and older;
Persons with chronic health problems, diseases of the heart, lung or
kidneys, or diseases that lower the body's resistance to infection; and
those persons who have required continuing medical care and or
hospitalization within the past year for a medical condition.
Helpful Facts about Flu Shots
- Flu season peaks from December through March. It takes one to
two week for the shot to give you immunity (protection from germs.)
This protection is assured for 3 to 4 months (although it may last
longer.) Therefore, the optimal time to get a flu shot is sometime
in October or November so the shot will protect your through the
whole flu season. (You can get it later, as well.)
- You need a flu shot every year for two reasons: the
protection is short-lived as mentioned above and the vaccine
composition varies from year to year depending on the germs that are
expected to circulate in the upcoming season.
- Getting a flu shot in not a 100% guarantee that you will
not get the flu. The amount of immunity that you get from the flu
shot depends on a number of factors including your age and your
health status. However, research shows that if you do get the flu
and you have had the flu shot, the illness tends to be less severe.
In addition, the flu shot may not be effective against the flu
strains that emerge.
- Flu shots are made from "killed" viruses and can not give you
the flu. A new sterile needle is used for each injection. Most
people experience no side effects from the shot, expert for an
occasional sore arm.
QVHD has flu clinics scheduled as follows:
- October 17, North Haven Community Center, 2:00 to 6:30
p.m.
- October 19, Miller Library Complex (Thornton Wilder
Auditorium) 2:00 to 6:30 p.m.
- October 23, Bethany Town Hall Gym, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- October 24, Bethany Town Hall Community room, 10:00 a.m.
til noon; and Woodbridge Senior Center,
- October 29th, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. More information will be
forthcoming on flu shots. Watch your local papers for announcements.
For more information, District residents
(Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) can call QVHD, 203.248.4528. Or you
can request information online
or through email, dculligan@qvhd.org
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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