Flu Season is Here
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By Dr. Michael Basista, Medical Director of Immedicenter, family health / urgent care centers in Clifton, Bloomfield and Totowa.
ational Influenza Vaccination Week just concluded, a campaign to remind all persons over six months to receive a flu shot, a public awareness program I support. Here is some more information on the flu and ways readers can deal with it. There are two types of vaccines available: TIV, best for anyone aged six months and older and LAIV, approved only for use among healthy, nonpregnant persons aged 2 to 49 years. Either vaccine is good for only one season, so revaccination is necessary every year. Those allergic to eggs should avoid getting the vaccine. There are situations when the LAIV should not be given, so it is best to discuss that with your doctor. Symptoms Fever, body aches, headache, malaise, dry cough, sore throat and a runny nose are all symptoms Children may also have nausea, vomiting and an ear ache. It can last three to seven days. The flu virus is spread by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezing. The incubation period is one to four days. People are generally contagious a day before the symptoms appear, the first five days, and adults are contagious for the last six days. Children, and those with a weakened immune system, can remain contagious even longer. Do Antibiotics Help? Since the flu is a virus, antibiotics have no role in the treatment of this disease. Antibiotics are only effective in bacterial infections, so requesting an antibiotic for an obvious case of the flu is unnecessary and can potentially cause side-effects. We are all aware of how antibiotic resistance is becoming widespread, so we should avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily. Should a consequence of flu develop, such as pneumonia, then your doctor may elect to prescribe an antibiotic.
Good News There are two antiviral medications available that can shorten the course of the flu if taken within two days of the onset of symptoms. Tamiflu and Relenza are both approved for treatment and prevention of the flu. Your doctor will decide which one is best for you. So who should take medication? Those who cannot take the vaccine for any reason; people who need protection immediately while waiting the two weeks for the vaccine to take its effect; persons with a weakened immune system; nursing home residents. And if the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces that the actual strain of flu which finally appears in the community is different than what is contained in the current year’s vaccine, preventive medication may be indicated during the outbreak. Other Preventions The vaccine is not always enough to prevent the flu so additional measures should be taken. Coughs and sneezes should be covered and children should be instructed on how to do this properly. Hand washing is still one of the best ways to avoid spreading diseases including the flu. Warm soapy water or disinfectants from a hand dispenser are the desirable ways to accomplish this. People who have the flu should be physically separated from other household members as much as possible. The patient should stay home during the most contagious period of the disease (generally five days after the onset of symptoms) to avoid infecting others. If it is absolutely necessary to leave the house during this time period, proper respiratory hygiene must be followed, i.e., covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. A surgical face mask is certainly a possibility for these individuals.
Non-household members should not enter the home of an infected person. If they must, they should avoid close contact with the patient. Limit the number of household members having contact with the patient. Hand washing is mandatory for anyone who has contact with the infected person or with that person’s personal items or waste. Anyone caring for someone with the flu might consider wearing a surgical facemask during times of contact. Dishes, utensils and laundry should be washed in warm soapy water. The household members might discuss with their physician receiving preventive medication. Keep in mind that the vaccine takes two weeks to reach its full effect, so medication would work faster to protect someone in an infected home. Household members should seek medical attention when symptoms begin. Public Awareness For more information on influenza, see the CDC’s helpful website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ The Clifton Immedicenter, has extended hours and patients can walk in without an appointment. Dr. Basista can be reached via email at mbasista@immedicenter.com or by calling 973-778-5566. December 2007 • Clifton Merchant
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