Flu shot cuts chance of influenza

Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Sanur, Bali, drdonya@hotmail.com

With the onset of the rainy season also comes the cold and flu season.

The last influenza pandemic (global epidemic) was in 1997. Influenza is a universal disease, it affects all segments of society. It is generally not harmful, but it can be potentially serious because it can spread through the upper respiratory tract and sometimes goes into the lungs. Some people become ill enough to be hospitalized while others even die.

Influenza, or the flu, is an acute respiratory infection caused by a variety of viruses. Fever, chills, headache, dry cough and body aches are the best clinical predictors of influenza. Influenza viruses are continually changing, usually as a result of mutation in the viral genes.

So what can you do to avoid the flu?

You can protect yourself and your family from influenza by getting a flu shot. The vaccine is made from killed influenza viruses. Each year, the vaccine is improved to include the most current strains of the virus.

After getting a flu shot, the body will create antibodies to fight the virus if exposed to it. Antibodies against flu develop and provide protection within one or two weeks after vaccination.

The reason people have a flu shot every year is because influenza viruses continually change. The vaccine only provides short term protection, less than one year.

The flu shot reduces the chances of catching the flu by up to 80 percent during the flu season. For healthy young adults, the flu shot reduces the risk by up to 90 percent. Even if an immunized person gets the flu, symptoms usually will be fewer and milder.

Who should get a flu shot?

Flu shots are recommended for:

* Those of all ages at high risk

1. Chronic heart or lung disease, including asthma

2. Chronic renal (kidney) disease

3. Diabetes mellitus

4. Immunodeficiency

* Everyone 65 years of age or older

* Anyone in long-stay residential and nursing homes and other long-stay facilities

* Children and teenagers who are on long-term aspirin therapy and may be at risk of Reye syndrome if they catch the flu.

* Pregnant women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.

* Anyone who can transmit influenza to those at high risk

* Any person over six months of age who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza

When should you get a flu shot?

People should be vaccinated two weeks before the flu season starts. In the tropics, April until September is flu season. However, the flu is present all year round in some areas. This vaccine cannot be given to persons who are allergic to eggs because vaccines are grown in eggs. Side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site and a slight fever or minor muscle aches.

Flu shots are safe and effective. By protecting yourself, you will also be protecting those around you this flu season.