By Kyle LoJacono
Flu season is approaching and many people will soon decide if they will get vaccinated against the illness this year.
“I’ve always gotten the shot for the last five years or so,” said Lutz resident Wilma Scott. “I hate when I get sick and I don’t want to get my family or co-workers sick, so I figure it’s a good way to prevent that.”
Last year’s outbreak of swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, changed Wesley Chapel resident Matt Thompson’s opinion on getting the shot.
“I never thought it made sense to get the shot,” Thompson said. “I always heard from people that they got the flu when they got the shot and I didn’t want to have that happen. Then last year the swine flu happened and I didn’t want to get it. I thought about it a long time and eventually got (the shot). Nothing happened and I didn’t get swine flu, so this year I got the regular flu shot.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness. The symptoms range from mild problems to severe enough to cause death.
The CDC’s website, www.cdc.gov/flu, states each year several thousand people die from the flu and about 12,000 died worldwide from H1N1 last year. Each year the particular strains change, which is what makes it so potentially dangerous because old immunity, either natural or from vaccination, is not effective in preventing the newer forms.
Dr. David Johnson has been Pasco County’s health officer since 2007. He said getting the flu shot is the most effective way to prevent getting the flu, which is why he gets one each year.
“The seasonal flu shot protects against flu viruses that will be most common during the upcoming season,” Johnson said. “This year’s flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses, an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus.”
The CDC is currently recommending everyone six months old or older get the annual flu shot each year. It is highly recommended for people between six months and 5 years old as well as those 65 years old or older because they are at higher risk of getting the disease and having more severe symptoms.
“This season, people 65 years and older will have two flu shots available to choose from, a regular dose flu shot and a new flu shot designed specifically for people 65 and older with a higher dose,” Johnson said. “This should result in a stronger immune response.”
Most people who get the flu recover in a few days to two weeks, according to the CDC, but it can develop into pneumonia or other respiratory diseases. The best way to prevent the progression is getting a lot of sleep and drinking plenty of fluids. Antibiotics do nothing to combat the flu, but some antiviral medications are available.
Other than getting the shot, the CDC has some ways to help prevent getting the flu.
First, avoid close contact with people who are visibly sick. The CDC does caution people can spread the virus a day before they have symptoms. Also wash hands often and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. The last step is to practice general good health habits, such as getting enough sleep and exercise, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.
Those interested in getting a seasonal flu shot can do so on a walk-in basis at the Land O’ Lakes Clinic, 4135 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The cost is $25 for the shot, $40 for the high-dose shot or for $57 for pneumonia shots. Call (813) 558-5173 for availability.
Common flu symptoms
Fever
Chills
Coughing
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue
Vomiting
Diarrhea
