Fight seasonal flu with vaccine

Photo By Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera | A healthcare professional puts a band aid over the site of an injection after providing a flu vaccine to a patient during a Community influenza vaccination event held by Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 20. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine each year, said Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Alvarez, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune’s director of Public Health.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.20.2014

Story by Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera  

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The arrival of the chilled air and crisp leaves of fall also marks the beginning of flu season, when approximately five to 20 percent of U.S. residents face one to two weeks of fevers, chills, fatigue, headaches and body aches among other symptoms.

While the numbers are low this early in the flu season, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, it’s important to fight the illness before it starts with a flu vaccine.

Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune has mounted a defense throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River areas by inoculating people through Community Influenza Vaccination events since early October.

"During the flu season flu viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S. population," said Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Alvarez, director of Public Health with Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. "An annual seasonal flu vaccine, either the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine, is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through the community."

While a few days of illness are not a big concern for some, the flu has led to thousands of deaths each year and can be particularly dangerous to young children, people over the age of 65, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions, according to the Center of Disease Control.

During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older, Alvarez said.

Each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu-related complications, according to the CDC.

Healthy adults can spread the virus before they begin to feel ill themselves, and days after symptoms disappear, making them a threat to susceptible populations.

Even in those who don’t fall into susceptible groups, the virus can lead to pneumonia, dehydration, ear and sinus infections as well as worsening other illnesses.

Flu season usually peaks in January or February, but residents can begin the battle today, by getting a flu shot.

"Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine each year," said Alvarez. "Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza."

Some people believe the flu shot could make them sick, Alvarez added. However, the flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness.

The injectable flu vaccine does not contain any live influenza virus and while the intranasal spray vaccine does contain a live virus, it is weakened to the point that it will not result in the illness, according to the CDC.

Some common side effects from the influenza vaccine include soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches could also occur, said Alvarez.

Side effects, if present, are usually mild and disappear on their own, according to the CDC.

"It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection," said Alvarez. "People should get vaccinated as early as possible."

Some key steps to reducing the risk of the flu include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, cleaning your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub, as well as avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth, said Alvarez.

"When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too," Alvarez added.

Alvarez also recommends practicing other good health habits such as cleaning and disinfecting frequently common surfaces, getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food to reduce the risk of getting the flu.

For more information about receiving a flu vaccine at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, call the Immunization Clinic at 450-4648, option 1.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2014
• Date Posted: 12.09.2014 18:39
• Story ID: 149866
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US