By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
The ominous sounds of sniffling, sneezing and coughing can be heard circulating all around this season, so take time to protect yourself and your loved ones from illnesses like the common cold and especially the dreaded flu virus this year.

Cold or the flu?

A common cold produces no fever or headaches, while these symptoms are typical of the flu: Body or muscle aches Chills Cough Fever Headache Sore throat The CDC also adds that some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Flu Prevention Tips

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. For more tips on prevention, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm. SOURCE: Center for Disease Control

 “So far this year, seasonal flu activity remains low in Tennessee and across the United States, which means the window of opportunity remains open for effective vaccination,” Shelley Walker, assistant director of communication and media relations with the Tennessee Department of Health said. “We recommend flu vaccination for everyone over 6 months of age, and urge anyone who hasn’t yet had a flu vaccine this season to get one.

“Of the small number of flu viruses collected nationally and tested so far this flu season, most are seasonal type A H3N2 strains, which are well matched to the vaccine.”

The 2011-2012 flu vaccine protects against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reported that influenza activity in the U.S. is low but stated that there is evidence that it is picking up, especially in the Southeast region. Reports of the influenza virus are expected to increase in the upcoming weeks and peak in February or March.

Local health departments are offering free flu vaccines to all adults age 19 and older. In addition, a flu vaccine is also available for children ages 6 months through 18 years of age for the charge of $13.70, according to a sliding fee schedule based on income. The vaccine is also available at primary health care providers and local pharmacies.

According to Heather Swartz, medical office manager at Neighbor M.D. urgent care clinic in the Peartree Village Shopping Center, 210 Franklin Road, there have been no confirmed cases of the flu at their clinic this year.

Her best advice on preventing the flu is to “wash your hands” and “get a flu shot.” At Neighbor MD, anyone can come in for a flu shot, which typically costs $15. However, the clinic offers the shots for $10 on Friday (or anytime if Brentwood Home Page is mentioned.)

By the time flu season ends, the virus will have affected many people. According to the Vanderbilt Health website, up to 20 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from the flu each year, usually between the months of November and March.  

What causes the flu virus?

Airborne viruses cause the respiratory illness, which can be contracted by breathing in the flu virus or by touching the eyes, nose or mouth after touching a contaminated surface. The illness usually lasts between one and two weeks. According to the CDC, most healthy adults may infect others one day before their symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

As reported by vanderbilthealth.com, symptoms begin suddenly and can be deadly to the very young, very old or chronically ill.

Unsure if you or someone you know has the flu or if medical attention is necessary? Vanderbilt devised a questionnaire called the “Flu Tool” to help determine if one has the flu and if medical attention is needed. Please visit http://www.vanderbilthealth.com/flutool/index.phpto take the quiz.

According the Vanderbilt Health site, antiviral medications are also available to treat the flu, which usually reduces the time suffered from the illness and is only effective if taken within 48 hours of when symptoms first begin.

The CDC also gives some helpful everyday tips to prevent the spread of germs, which can protect against getting the flu. Please see below list.

 

For more information about the flu, please visit http://www.vanderbilthealth.com or http://www.cdc.gov/.

 

For more information on the flu vaccine including a tool to find vaccination sites in your area, visit the Department of Health website at http://health.state.tn.us/Flu/index.htm.