CN Oct. 5. 2011

Page 1

October 5, 2011 Vol. 90 No. 40

Flu vaccines are now available, and everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get vaccinated.

County Health Department Urges All Residents to Get Vaccinated Against the Seasonal Flu

IN this Issue

Flu season has arrived and the Saint Louis County Department of Health is urging all residents six months of age and older be vaccinated against the seasonal flu. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response. Get vaccinated now so that you will be protected when flu season begins. In the United States, influenza season usually begins in October and can last until May. Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health, were both recently vaccinated against the seasonal flu at an event highlighting the importance and ease of being vaccinated. “It’s not just about protecting you,” Gunn said. “If you don’t catch the flu, then you can’t spread the flu to others.” Every flu season, the vaccine contains Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

several different strains of the flu virus. This year’s vaccine contains three flu strains, based on what flu experts expect to be the most likely strains encountered. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, between 15 and 60 million Americans are infected by seasonal flu each flu season. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year due to flu-related complications and around 36,000 of them die. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills (it’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (very tired). Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by Florissant Fall Festival . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Learn & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2139 Bryan Valley Commercial Dr. • O’Fallon, MO 63366

touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose. Persons may be able to pass on the flu

Photo courtesy of the St. Louis COunty Health Department

to someone else before realizing they are sick, as well as while they are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect othSee VACCINATED page 3

Movie Talk

See Movie page 15

“50/50” - Photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Joe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Shelly Schnieder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

P: 636-379-1775 • FX: 636-379-1632

Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

E-Mail: cnews@centurytel.net

www.mycnews.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.