Photo By Douglas Stutz | As much of the nation continues to be impacted by a persistent - and severe - flu...... read more read more
Much of the nation has been impacted by a persistent flu season which began last October and continues to affect young and old alike.
Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) echoes sound advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Navy Marine Corps Public Health Center, and Kitsap Public Health District, that the lingering influenza virus season is peaking with immunization still considered the first line of defense.
Capt. Mark Malakooti, NHB Preventive Medicine officer asserts that everyone should readily get their annual flu vaccination.
“The seasonal influenza vaccine remains the primary method of reducing seasonal influenza illness and its complications. It not only helps protect vaccinated individuals, but also helps protect entire communities by reducing the spread of the disease,” said Malakooti.
Kitsap Public Health District reports there has been five influenza-related deaths, none related to NHB or the military, and as of January 9, 2018, a total of 29 flu-related deaths in Washington state.
“On average, flu activity is usually low in the fall, and then rises rapidly in December to peak in February, with the flu season ending in April. People who have already been properly vaccinated for this season do not need to repeat vaccination. Most flu cases we have seen at NHB so far this year have been in beneficiaries who have not had the flu vaccine, and have been caused by a flu strain that the vaccine is designed to protect against,” said Malakooti.
Compiled statistics also indicate that influenza activity in the Department of the Navy is elevated and increasing as of the first week of 2018. Influenza has the potential to adversely impact Navy force readiness and mission execution. It is Department of Defense (DoD) policy that all Active Duty and Reserve Component personnel be immunized against influenza.
“Although no vaccine is 100 percent effective, the flu vaccine remains worthwhile in that it does reduce risk of infection and even if a person becomes infected despite vaccination it may reduce their risk of severe illness and death,” Malakooti said.
Dr. Dan Frederick, NHB Population Health officer reminds everyone that influenza is not the common cold. It can be a life-threatening disease that especially can put specific groups in jeopardy.
“While certainly people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are at increased risk, as are those over 65 and young children, pregnant women would be at the top of my list. Pregnancy changes the body's immune response and heart and lung function to make them more susceptible to becoming infected. If they are infected, they can become much more ill,” explained Frederick.
According to the CDC, severe illness during pregnancy can also be dangerous to the developing baby because it increases the chance for significant problems, such as premature labor and delivery.
Frederick also attests that there are four ‘c’s’ to consider during this flu season – clean, cover, contain and call.
Clean: Wash your hands. As often as possible. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze. Always. But not with your hands. Use your shoulder, upper arm, or crook of your elbow.
Contain: Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If ill, stay home until well to avoid spreading germs.
Call: Contact/visit your provider if you or your child has a fever greater than 100 degrees.
“Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the spread of the flu virus. The reason why hand-hygiene is continually stressed not just in a hospital but in everyday routine is that people often become infected with influenza when they touch something with influenza viruses on it and then touch their mouth or nose,” added Malakooti, noting that one of the challenging aspects of flu is that someone who becomes infected can infect others one day before they have symptoms and up to five days after becoming sick.
Influenza symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, chills, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Related stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur but are more common in children than adults.
NHB’s Immunization Clinic is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Branch Health Clinic Bangor is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Branch Health Clinic Everett is 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Branch Health Clinic Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., all Monday through Friday.
| Date Taken: | 01.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.19.2018 18:00 |
| Story ID: | 262641 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WA, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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