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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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September 30, 2008 |
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 new flu strains that emerge during flu season.
• 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.
This year, QVHD is partnering with VNA Services, Inc., in order to
provide greater availability of flu shots in the community. The joint
clinics are scheduled as follows:
October 14 th , Miller Library Complex (Thornton Wilder Auditorium),
2901 Dixwell A ve., Hamden, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
October 16 th , Bethany Town Hall Gymnasium , 40 Peck Rd., from 3:30 to
7:00 p.m.
October 20 th , Woodbridge Senior Center, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
October 21 st , North Haven Community Center , Linsley St., from 2:30 to
6:30 p.m,.and
October 29 th , Bethany Town Hall Community room, 10:00 a.m. til noon.
More information will be forthcoming on flu shots. Watch your local
papers for announcements or visit our website
www.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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