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Flu Facts..
Flu facts: Seniors and the 2009-10 flu season: Flu Facts:Why This Flu Season is Different This flu season (2009-10) is different for seniors--we get a break. Every year over 30,000 people die of the flu and most are over age 65. That is the age group that is affected most by the flu. Why is this year different -- because those numbers have been reversed and seniors are at the lowest risk of getting the flu (1%) of all the age groups. At highest risk are those who usually are at lowest risk--young adults and children. At highest risk is 0-4 years and 5-24. Most deaths this season have been in the group 25-40 years. Also at high risk are pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. They predict 30,000-90,000 deaths from flu this season. This is the current estimate based on what they know now. So why is it that seniors are not at highest risk this season: In 1918 there was a flu strain, as most know as the Spanish flu, that killed 50 million people worldwide--a nightmare of huge proportion. Well, that strain, the H1N1 hung around up til 1957. This new flu is from the same strain and, therefore, persons born before 1957 may have partial immunity to the current swine flu outbreak, H1N1. It is estimated that 30-50% of seniors have partial immunity. With that one fact, you may decide getting the swine flu vaccine may not be necessary for you born before that year. And that is your decision to make. However, there is another fact, that if you do get it, you may get very sick as some fatalities thus far have been in the senior population. Flu Facts: Getting a Flu Shot Helps Protect Others When you get a flu shot, you will not be able to pass any virus on to others. Therefore, if you are a grandparent taking care of the young grandchildren you become a "caretaker" of a high priority group-- young children--and you are also in a priority group (a caretaker) so that you do not pass the virus on to this high priority group. Flu Facts: Will the Virus Mutate and Become More Serious There is also some very slight risk that this virus could mutate although it has not done this so far. So far if you have the flu, it is 99.9% that you have the swine flu as that is all that is going around now. So far the disease has been mild for most persons, although there have been some deaths. Flu Facts: Symptoms The symptoms consist of fever (though, interestingly, not all have fever so you cannot rely on this), cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, lethargy and appetite suppression. You will feel sick. In older people symptoms don't develop in quite the same way as the younger groups. You may have the flu without fever. So be aware and If you have these symptoms, it is extremely important that you contact your doctor right away--do not wait. This is because if the symptoms worsen, you may not be able to be helped with drugs such as Tamiflu as they only work early in the illness. Flu Facts: What Can You Do What can you do: WASH HANDS OFTEN--harder to do, but very effective, is to stay out of crowds and any social settings, be wary, and 6 feet away from people especially anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Cover your cough or sneeze as you may have the virus and not know it. Flu Facts: Flu Virus Spreads Easily The virus incubates for 1-5 days and may be communicable even before symptoms show up and 4-5 days after. The normal flu last only a few days. When you shake hands with someone who has the illness, are you wondering if the virus stays on your hands-- yes it does, up to 45 minutes. That is why you are being told to not touch your nose or eyes. And wash your hands. If you are a grandparent caring for young children, do not give young children aspirin--Tylenol is safe in low doses, but this is something to check with the pediatrician about before administering. Flu is very infectious. Right now (mid Oct) the leading state for the illness is North Carolina and the Northeast also. Flu Facts: Confusion Reigns About Flu Vaccinations There is alot of confusion this year. Why--a couple reasons: this year there are 2 flu types and vaccinations not just one as in most years. And this year there is a rush to judgment about how serious this flu is. Also, the vaccine itself has been relatively "rushed" through. This is due to the fact that the government knows very little but does know it is an unusual strain and has a similar pattern to the Spanish flu of 1918. Also, there are so many differing opinions on whether or not this is an emergency. The government is doing their part in getting a vaccine out and warning the population--now it is up to you to make your own decision. Flu Facts: Flu Vaccine Distribution Currently, at mid October 2009, when it was earlier predicted that the flu shots for swine flu would be out en masse at this time, there seems to be a stall on the distribution. If you really want this shot, be patient, as the vaccine will probably be more available in later October in larger quantities for the public. Seniors are not in the high priority groups and may have to wait but this is up to the states to decide who gets the vaccine first. Flu Facts: Flu Manufacturers The "swine flu" vaccine has priority over the regular flu and so will be ready before the regular flu vaccine. It doesn't matter which manufacturer you receive it from. There are several. If you get both shots, regular flu and "swine flu," you need 4 weeks spacing between doses. (please verify) The government and healthcare are still trying to sort out the best way to distribute the shots. The nasal spray is a live virus form but there is no difference in risk whether you take one or the other--live (nasal Myst) or inactivated virus from the shot. You cannot get flu from the inactivated form. (Please verify all information with your doctor. This report is information only, may have errors, so you need to do your own inspection of all facts.) Is the Flu Vaccine Safe The biggest question on everyone's mind is: is the vaccination safe -- the government says it is, based on the fact that it is being made with the same processes as they make the regular flu vaccine every year. We must add, that there is always some risk involved in taking vaccinations. You must do your own fact finding and decide whether or not it is right for you and your family. Is the Vaccine Being Rushed It seems "rushed" because the government has declared it a pandemic, didn't have much notice about it occurring, starting in Mexico, had fears it could mutate, and there is still some chance of this. The government knows that the more people vaccinated, the fewer illnesses and deaths will occur (please verify this fact.) This is because the virus cannot be passed by vaccinated persons. Many people who are not vaccinated are people who do not have healthcare or knowledge of the flu, are at greater risk, and so if the large population is vaccinated it helps the unvaccinated population. (Please verify this information with your doctor.) Flu Facts: Government on the Watch
Our government is now on the watch for the following and this is something you can also look out for
in the news and be aware of: 1) If virus becomes more lethal Flu Facts: If it gets more serious, today's recommendations will change. We know it's everywhere--that is all we can be sure of and now you must decide if you will get one or both flu shots for this 2009/10 season.
**Sources include www.flu.gov and a recent informational seminar where Oren Cohen, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Quintiles Transnational Corp. and Consulting Professor of Medicine at Duke University, spoke to a gathering of seniors on the topic of the flu season 2009-10. The above is my interpretation of his excellent talk, and though I have tried to report the facts accurately, I may be incorrect in some of my reporting. Therefore, it is necessary that you do your own verification of all facts on this important topic and in making your decisions. This website is for information only and not opinion or advice.
Please verify all information with your doctor. This report is information only, may have errors, so you need to do your own inspection of all facts. We recommend a website: www.flu.gov for information about the current flu season 2009/10.
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