The Best Defense is a Great Offense!
While enjoying another lovely eighty- degree day on my deck, I was shocked to see the leaves on the maple tree were orange-tipped. Ready or not, here comes fall….and flu season!
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory virus. People who have contracted it can spread the virus to others from the day BEFORE the first symptoms appear, until seven days AFTER their symptoms resolve. Influenza causes sudden, severe symptoms including: fever, body aches, chills, head and chest congestion, sore throat, cough, nausea/ diarrhea, and fatigue. The symptoms usually persist for 1-2 weeks, but secondary complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, ear or sinus infection, or worsening of existing health issues may prolong recovery.
The best defense against the flu virus is to take advantage of the vaccines that are offered annually in the fall. It is important to get a dose of vaccine each year for two reasons: the virus (and thus the vaccine) changes from year to year, and the immunity gained from the vaccine wanes over the course of a year.
There are two basic forms of influenza vaccine; the injectable, and the inhaled nasal mist. The injectable form is an inactivated-virus vaccine. This means the virus is “killed” then broken into small bits to create the vaccine. Every year I hear of people claiming to have gotten the flu from the shot. It is possible to become ill after being unwittingly exposed to the virus just before or right after getting a flu shot, but the shot itself cannot cause the flu. There is an appropriate injectable influenza vaccine for all ages and most health conditions, including pregnancy. This form of vaccine is well-tolerated and causes very few side effects.
The nasal mist and the injectable vaccines both provide protection against the same influenza strains. However, the nasal mist uses live-attenuated virus. “Live-attenuated” means the virus is still functional (able to cause disease), but weakened. While there is no needle to deal with; the live-attenuated nasal mist vaccine causes more side effects (i.e. headache, nasal irritation/ runny nose, and sore throat). The nasal mist vaccine is restricted to use in persons between the ages of 2-49yrs, who are relatively healthy. There is concern over using a live virus (albeit weakened) in people whose immune system may be compromised: people with chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS, etc), cancer and transplant patients, and pregnant women.
Get a dose of flu vaccine this fall to protect yourself and your contacts from the influenza virus. Call Bend Pill Box Pharmacy at 541-382-1454 to make an appointment today!
By Pam Becker, R.Ph.
Pill Box Drugs, Inc.
