Update: Flu Season 2004
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-10-15 16:49:00-04:00
The 2004 flu season kicked off with a serious shortage of flu vaccine. Because of this, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had advised health care providers to immunize only those people at highest risk for health complications from the flu.
Since October, though, more flu vaccines have become available. Because of this, the CDC has expanded its list of those recommended to receive the inactivated flu vaccine this season. The inactivated vaccine is made from dead flu virus.
Some areas have more vaccine available than others. It's up to state and local health officials to decide whether they have enough vaccine to meet demand for those at highest risk. If they do, beginning January 3, 2005, they can expand the list of those who are eligible for a shot to include:
- adults age 50 to 64
- out-of-home caregivers
- household contacts of persons in high-risk groups, which includes people age 65 and older; children under age two; pregnant women; and all people with certain underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, organ transplants or AIDS.
This is in addition to those previously determined at high risk and eligible for the vaccine – specifically, those who are:
- age 65 and older
- between age 2 and 64 with chronic medical conditions
- between 6 months and 23 months old
- between 6 months and 18 years old on chronic aspirin therapy
- living in homes with children less than 6 months old
- living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- who are pregnant during the flu season
- who are health care workers involved in direct patient care
- who are at-home caregivers
While the flu has gotten off to a slow start this year, you should get a flu shot if you are eligible and the vaccine is available in your community. Talk to your doctor. Anyone can get the flu, which is a serious and contagious illness caused by influenza (flu) viruses. Flu season can run through March in some areas.
Flu clinics around the country also give out shots. The American Lung Association has set up an online flu shot locator to help you find out where to get a shot in your area. This could include grocery stores, pharmacies, and local clinics. You can get a list of places nearest you by typing in your zip code.
Be sure to check the locator the day before you plan to go for your shot to see if vaccine is still available. If a site has run out of vaccine, it will be removed from the locator list. If shots are still available, you might have to wait in line, with no guarantee you'll get one.
A shot certainly is the best way to prevent the flu. People who shouldn't get a flu vaccine before talking with their doctor are those:
- with a severe allergy to hens' eggs since the vaccine is made with eggs
- who previously contracted Guillain-Barr é syndrome within six weeks of receiving the shot
- who had a severe reaction to the vaccine before
- who are very sick with a high fever
Tips to Prevent the Flu and Its Spread
If you don't get a shot, there still are things you can do to protect yourself against the flu:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Large crowds of people in indoor areas increase your chances of getting the flu.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
Wash your hands often. Doorknobs, telephones, other people's hands – the flu virus can live on all these things. Wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially before meals. You might want to buy an alcohol-based, hand sanitizer that you can carry with you.
Take care of yourself. People tend to get less sleep, eat less well, and feel more stress during the holiday season, which is peak flu season. Don't ruin your celebrations by getting the flu. Be sure to get enough rest, exercise, and healthy foods.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Stay home if you are sick to prevent spreading germs to others.
Common Flu Symptoms
The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
- high fever
- headache
- extreme tiredness and weakness
- dry cough and/or sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body or muscle aches
Diarrhea and vomiting also can occur, but are more common in children.
Is It the Cold or the Flu?
The flu and the common cold are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be hard to tell the difference between them. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense.
Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospital stays.
Every year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications and 36,000 die from the flu. If you're especially at-risk, don't wait to get your flu shot. If you're healthy, practice good health habits to stay flu-free this season.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
AARP Resources
Original Medicare: Doctor, Home Health, and Preventive Care
Medicare will pay for flu shots and other vaccines.
Healthy Bodies Fight Stress Better
Reducing stress in your life also reduces your chances of getting sick.
Additional Resources
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Get more information on the flu from CDC.
National Coalition for Adult Immunization
Information on the flu and pneumonia and how to prevent them.
Immunization Action Coalition
Information on adult and childhood immunizations in different languages.
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