Dr. Lucille Vega M.D. - Flu, Flu Shots, Pneumonia

RI Healthcare Family Practice - RI Doctor, Rhode Island Doctor

Flu Season

Flu and Pneumonia Shots

Flu Facts:

1. Flu vaccination requires 1 dose
each year.

2. Annual vaccination is necessary, because each year there are new strains of influenza. Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the kinds of influenza likely to cause an epidemic this year.

3. Vaccines are so successful in helping people stay influenza-free that recommendations by the ACIP state that anyone over the age of 6 months may get
vaccinated to reduce the chances of becoming infected with influenza.

4. Inactivated influenza vaccine contains noninfectious killed viruses and cannot cause influenza.

5. A common complaint after getting vaccinated is soreness at the site where the vaccine was received. This is not a serious problem, and the pain usually lasts 1 or 2 days.

6. Anyone who is allergic to eggs, egg products, or thimerosal should not be given influenza vaccination.

7. As with any vaccine, influenza vaccines do not provide 100% protection to all susceptible individuals.

Content provided by Aventis Pasteur Inc. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51 (RR- 3):1-34.

If you are 50 or older,
get your flu shot today!

Ask about a pneumonia shot too!

Flu or pneumonia can cause serious health problems and can sometimes be fatal. Getting these shots can help maintain your health.

Medicare, Part B covers 100%
of flu and pneumonia shots.

The Flu (Influenza)

Every year, the flu spreads worldwide, affecting people
of all ages.

Typically, a person is contagious with the flu from the
day before symptoms begin until 5 days after they begin.
The flu can spread to anyone that comes incontacted
with an infected person over the 6 day period.

The flu can last for days and sometimes weeks.

Common Flu Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Muscle Aches
3. Headache
4. Cough
5. Sore throat
6. Fatigue
7. Runny nose

Do you need a vaccination?

Consider your medical history

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination for the following people:

1. People 50 years old and older.

2. Any adult or child with asthma, diabetes, or chronic desease of the lungs, blood, kidneys, or immune system including HIV and AIDS.

3. Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.

4. Adults and children who have needed regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year.

5. Residents of nursing homes, and chronic-care facilities that house people of any age who have chronic medical conditions.

6. Any child or teenager receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

Consider your job

The flu affects business as people are forced to take sick days in order to recover from the flu or to care for children or adults who are sick.

Health care workers are considered to be at a higher risk. A vaccination will help prevent a health care worker from contracting or spreading the flu.

The ACIP recommends that the following professions get vaccinated:

1. Physicians
2. Nurses
3. Allied health professionals
4. Emergency response workers
5. Employees of chronic-care facilities
6. Assisted-living employees
7. Home care employees

Content provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51 (RR-3):1-34.

When is the best time to vaccinated?

For people at high risk for influenza, the ideal time
for an influenza vaccination is October.

People that are not considered high risk can hold off
vaccination until November and beyond.

Content provided by Aventis Pasteur Inc. and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations
of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

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