Flu/Colds

 
 
     
�?Overview
�?Diagnosis
�?Treatment
�?Prevention
 �?Facts to Know
�?Questions to Ask
�?Key Q & A
�?Test Yourself
 
 
 

 
PREVENTION

To avoid getting the flu, or to lessen the severity, you should get a flu shot each fall, especially if you are 50 or older, have a chronic health problem, are a health care worker or live or work around elderly. A flu vaccination is your best chance to protect yourself. However, while the vaccine has a 67 to 92 percent success rate in healthy adults and children, it may not be 100 percent effective. If you are allergic to eggs, or running a fever, don't get a flu shot without talking first with your health care professional. The flu shot has been shown to be completely safe during pregnancy, but again, discuss this with your health care professional.

Because your immune system takes time to respond to the flu shot, you should get vaccinated in early fall -- six to eight weeks before flu season begins. Flu season begins between October and December in the Northern hemisphere and April in the Southern hemisphere.

However, if you can't get vaccinated then, it is still worth getting vaccinated any time right up to the beginning of the flu season. You start to develop some immunity from the shot within a few days to two weeks.

The U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases recommends a yearly flu shot for the following groups of people who are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu:

* persons age 50 and older

* residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities where persons of any age who have long-term illnesses reside

* adults and children six months of age and older who have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma

* adults and children six months of age and older who need regular medical care or have had to be in a hospital because of metabolic diseases (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicine or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV])

* children and teenagers (age six months to 18 years) who are on long-term aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye Syndrome after the flu

* women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season

In 2002, new government guidelines were issued by the U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Guidelines now recommend flu shots for all healthy children from six months up to two years old, and those aged two to 18 years, who live in households where there are children younger than two. The new recommendations go into effect March 1, 2003 and are based on recent data showing that young children are hospitalized with influenza at least as often as adults over age 65.

The vaccine itself cannot cause flu, but you could become exposed and infected soon after vaccination, before antibodies develop, then come down with the flu and attribute it to the shot. The most common side effect is soreness at the site of the vaccination.

There are also simple common-sense things you can do to protect yourself from the flu:

* Keep your distance, if possible, from people who have the flu, because the virus is spread when someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes.

* Wash your hands frequently to reduce your risk of catching a cold or flu; ordinary soap is sufficient. Antibacterial soaps add little protection, particularly against viruses. In fact, a recent study suggests that common liquid dishwashing soaps are up to 100 times more effective than antibacterial soaps in killing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is known to cause pneumonia.

* Avoid second-hand cigarette smoke, and if you smoke, try to quit.

* Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle to build your immunity by following a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, and keeping stress levels low; eating fresh, dark-colored fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and other important food chemicals, may help boost the immune system.

The herbal remedy echinacea is getting a lot of attention for its claims to prevent cold and flu symptoms. Most studies have found no benefits. . Because there are no standards or quality controls available for echinacea (including what part of the plant to use) or any other herbal remedies, and some of the medications can cause toxic side effects in large doses, you should always discuss natural remedies with your health care professional before taking them.

Large doses of vitamin C have not been proven to effectively prevent or cure colds. It is important, however, to take the minimum daily requirement. Ask your health care professional what he/or she recommends.

Various brands of zinc lozenges that claim quicker recovery time for people suffering from colds have appeared on pharmacy shelves, but evidence from studies completed so far has been inconclusive.

New Treatments on the Horizon

A nasal spray vaccine (FluMist �? Aviron Corp.) is currently being developed for use in both adults and children and may become available for use within the next year.

The antiviral drug (pleconaril, ViroPharma Corp.), expected to be approved sometime in 2003, can lessen the duration and severity of the common cold. In clinical trials, it was effective at reducing the severity of symptoms within 24-hours of administration and lessening the duration of the cold by a day.

back to the top  |  next page> Facts to Know 
 
Written by: Editorial Staff of the National Women's Health Resource Center
Reviewed on: Fri Jun 13 2003
Created on: Wed Mar 01 2000
 
 
 
©2000 National Womens's Health Resource Centers, Inc. (NWHRC). All rights reserved. Reproducing content on this site in any form is prohibited without written permission. For more information, please contact: [email protected].