Pointers for flu prevention

Flu facts

Statistics alone are reason enough for you to take the flu seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year in the United States, on average:

• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
  
  
• Five to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year.
  
  
• About 36,000 people die from the flu
  
  
• Together, the flu and pneumonia are the seventh leading cause of death each year

Get a vaccine as soon as you can

The flu vaccine comes in two forms. Be sure to talk with your doctor about which is best for you:

• The flu vaccination is a trivalent inactivated vaccine, which contains a killed virus from the three flu strains expected to be the most likely causes that year. Each year the strains of flu change based upon what's seen around the world. Some people are skeptics, thinking they can get the flu from a flu shot. Not true. You may still get the flu, but you're not likely to be as sick. Side effects from a flu vaccination may include a sore arm, fever, and body aches, but they'll be milder than flu symptoms and will last only a day or two.
  
  
• The flu nasal spray, a live attenuated influenza vaccine, contains a weakened live virus and is usually recommended for healthy adults younger than 50 who aren't pregnant and healthy children, 2 and older.
  
  

While it's recommended that everyone older than 6 months get a flu vaccine, the following groups of people are especially urged to do so:

• People 50 and older
  
  
• Residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
  
  
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  
  
• Adults and children with chronic conditions such as asthma, renal disease, hypertension and diabetes, weakened immune system, or compromised respiratory function
  
  
• Women who'll be pregnant during flu season
  
  
• Healthcare workers
  
  
• Caregivers and others in close contact with children 5 and younger, adults 50 and older, and people who are at high risk for complications from the flu due to medical conditions

It takes about two weeks after the vaccine for antibodies to develop in the body and protect you against infection from the flu virus - but not all is lost if you can't get your flu vaccine before November. In recent years, flu activity hasn't peaked until late December through March.

Need a pneumonia shot?

Also ask whether you need a pneumonia shot. Some people, especially older adults, children, and adults with chronic conditions, are more susceptible to pneumonia caused by the Pneumococcus bacteria. Symptoms include body chills and a high fever. It's also common to begin coughing up greenish or rust-colored mucus. Unlike the flu vaccines, the pneumonia vaccine is usually a one-time vaccination, although a booster is sometimes needed, and you can receive the pneumococcal vaccine anytime of the year. The current recommendations for the pneumonia shot are for all people age 65 years and older; and for adults and children older than 2 years who have heart failure, chronic lung disease, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, or other high risk conditions that affect the immune system such as HIV, metastatic cancer, or organ transplant recipients.

Flu or cold? Know the difference

To defend yourself against an opponent, you need to know something about your opponent's strengths and style of fighting. The same rule applies to your defense against the flu. If you recognize the symptoms and understand how the flu differs from a cold, you'll be better equipped to ward off an attack. But your chances of beating the flu are better if you have a good coach - so be sure to talk with your doctor about what's best for you.

The flu - also known as influenza - is much more serious than a bad cold. It usually comes on suddenly, with symptoms like high fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. Some symptoms may be severe, lasting from a few days to several weeks. The flu can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia that may require hospitalization and become life-threatening.

The following chart compares typical symptoms and key characteristics of a cold with those of the flu:

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (102-104°F); lasts 3-4 days
Headache	Rare	Prominent
General aches, pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Fatigue, weakness	Quite mild	Can last as long as 2-3 weeks
Extreme exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent
Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Sore throat	Common	Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe
SOURCE: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, September 2005. The CDC: "Antiviral Drugs and the Flu," Oct. 22, 2005

Practice good health habits

Healthy habits can help protect you from the flu. The CDC recommends these simple steps as part of a healthy routine:

• Wash your hands often - this is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent the flu. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizers in your purse, car, and backpack for use when soap and water aren't available.
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
  
  
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
  
  
• Stay home when you're sick.
  
  
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  
  
• Exercise regularly, get enough rest, and eat healthy, balanced meals.

If you think you have the flu, call your doctor, especially if you are at risk for complications. Early treatment can help you get better faster. Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications. At the first signs of the flu, be sure to:

• Get plenty of rest
  
  
• Drink lots of fluids
  
  
• Don't use alcohol or tobacco

Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as colds and flu. Over-the-counter medications may help relieve the symptoms. Ask your doctor which medications you or your family should take. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms because it could cause a rare, but serious, illness called Reye's syndrome.

The bottom line

Vaccines are your best defense against the flu and pneumonia. Talk to your doctor about getting a flu vaccine before the season starts.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

American Lung Association

Additional resources

For more information, log in to the MyHumana Flu and Pneumonia Condition Center at Humana.com. It includes links to a library, helpful hints, alternative therapies, prescription drug information, and additional resources. The condition center also includes a link to the Savings Center, where you can get discount coupons for over-the-counter cold and flu medications like Dimetapp and Robitussin. At MyHumana, you also can check to see whether your health plan provides coverage for vaccines.