eInsights - January 2010

Important Information about Seasonal Flu from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just wrapped up National Influenza Vaccination Week January 10 -16, 2010. This week was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. Read more…

While most of the initial panic related to H1N1 has subsided, the flu season has been an active one, and the CDC is continues to urge individuals to get vaccinated. A yearly seasonal flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.

Things you should know:

• Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. (According to the SBA Professional Advisory Council, unless one has a weakened respiratory or immune system, people with Spina Bifida are at no greater risk for contracting the flu.)
  
  
• The regular flu shot takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection. In the meantime, people are still at risk for getting the flu. Flu vaccination provides protection against influenza (flu) strains contained in the vaccine through one flu season.
  
  
• Studies have shown that influenza (flu) viruses can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to two to eight hours after being deposited (left) on surfaces like dining area tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination (tainted) from these common surfaces.

Below are some important links that will help you understand influenza and what you can do if you get it.

• What to do if you get sick
• What is influenza?
• What are the symptoms?
  

Please visit the CDC Web site to view the dosage recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccination (PDF). For more information visit www.flu.gov.

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