Weve been fielding a lot of questions about the flu vaccine this year. Here are a few facts: 1. Yes, it is true. The circulating strain of influenza A is not a good match to the current strains in the vaccine. It shifted after the flu vaccine strains were picked for this season. 2. Getting the flu vaccine will still provide some protection against that flu that is here now, along with 2-3 other versions of the flu, depending on which vaccine you recieve. 3. If you happen to get the flu even though you got the vaccine, it may help you be less sick than you would have otherwise been. Keep in mind that the flu vaccine is not fully effective for about 2 weeks after getting the shot/mist. It cannot cause the flu in healthy people. If you get the flu right after you get vaccinated, it is because you were exposed at some point in the previous 2 weeks to someone who did have the flu. Please, if you/your children are sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, congestion, cough, etc). STAY HOME from work and/or school. The only way to stop it spreading is to stop exposing other people. Flu is typically contagious for about a week after first having symptoms - even if you start taking Tamiflu. Flu is spread through the air, so even if you avoid touching other people, simply being within 6 feet of them will expose them! If one person in your house has been diagnosed with influenza and others begin showing symptoms, please call! Our phones are answered 24/7/365. As long as you/your children are drinking, alert, and not having trouble breathing or having ear pain, we may be able to call Tamiflu in, depending on the situation. ER and Urgent care waits are very long right now due to flu, and sitting in a waiting room may expose you/your children to other illnesses. Practice good handwashing, cover your cough, and we will make it through flu season!
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 18:06:21 +0000
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