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Flu bug's flying early: It's not too late to get a flu shot
8 years ago | 172 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Nationally, the winter flu season is starting earlier than usual, according to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, and the 2003 strain is being called a virulent one, tougher than any of the past three years.

Deaths from flu this year have been reported in Washington State and in Colorado as the virus drifts eastward.

The local county health center said Monday vaccinations are still available, and the shots are strongly recommended.

Sue Vincent at the county's Leitchfield center, reports the shots are especially important for the following:

  • People over 50 years old.

  • People in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

  • Adults and children 6 months of age and older who have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma.

  • Adults or children older than 6 months who need regular medical care for diabetes, chronic kidney disease or weakened immune systems (including HIV or by medicine).

  • Children and teenagers who are on long-term aspirin therapy (could develop Reye syndrome after the flu).

  • Women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season.

    The CDC adds the following people to the list of those needing shots:

  • Doctors, nurses and hospital employees, workers in doctors' offices and emergency response workers.

  • Nursing home workers.

  • Workers in assisted living residences.

  • Home care providers.

  • Household members of people in the high-risk groups.

  • Children aged 6-23 months and their caregivers.

    "Flu viruses are circulating at a higher level than usual," the CDC said in a news release, "with cases of flu being reported in communities across the country."

    The CDC expresses worry that the public is becoming complacent about flu, "and we need to get the word out that there is plenty of vaccine available and a flu shot is the best protection against it."

    Flu kills about 36,000 Americans each year, CDC said, and urges anyone who has not gotten a flu shot to get one, even in December, January or February.

    CDC says it takes from 10 to 14 days after the shot for the body to develop protection against the flu.

    The only caution is for people who are allergic to eggs or have had a reaction to a past shot, and people who have a high fever should wait for the fever to subside.

    However, flu shots can be given despite minor illnesses, with or without fever, particularly among children with mild upper respiratory tract infections or hay fever, the CDC said.

    There appears to be no shortage of vaccine this year, the center reports.
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