Barnstable County Report Barnstable County Report By George R. Heufelder, MS, RS
Director, Barnstable County
Department Of Health & Environment
As the frost appears on the pumpkin and the long sleeves migrate out of storage, we should be seriously thinking about getting our annual influenza vaccination or flu shot.
Much has happened over the past year that has heightened the public awareness and fear of influenza. Nearly everyone has heard the terms "pandemic" or "bird flu" to such an extent that there's a tendency to become desensitized to the real risks.
First, we should have the terms straight in our minds.
"Bird" or Avian Flu refers to an influenza that commonly circulates among wild birds. There are many types of bird influenzas that circulate, and generally they are only passed to humans who are in very close contact with the diseased birds. Bird flu should not be confused with the seasonal flu.
Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect humans every year. In New England, the cycle generally begins in December and may last into April.
To add to the confusion, occasionally a new strain of virus appears for which humans have not been previously exposed and hence have no natural protection. This influenza referred to as "pandemic flu" is easily transmitted from human to human and usually affects people worldwide. Influenza pandemics resulting in many deaths have occurred in 1918, 1957, and 1968.
For the most part, our greatest immediate concern should be seasonal flu, and for that we do have a few weapons. Foremost, strongly consider receiving a flu vaccination. Two types of vaccinations are available this season; the standard injection of an inactivated virus (your typical "flu shot"), or the live, attenuated (or weakened) influenza vaccine, which was licensed in 2003. It is administered as a spray mist into the nostril.
This live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is approved for healthy children and adults from age 5 through 49. While it may seem counterintuitive to invite a live albeit attenuated virus into your body to prompt immunity, there is some data that strongly suggest that "FluMist®" as it is commercially known, is more effective than the standard flu shot.
There are some precautions that you should be aware of, so ask your physician if FluMist is appropriate for you. For those over 50, watch the newspaper for the flu clinic in your area and make it a point to get protected. The seasonal flu kills approximately 36,000 people each year and is responsible for hospitalizing over 100,000.
Besides getting a flu shot, there are a few things to remember that will help you navigate this year flu-less. Immunity imparted by flu vaccine generally occurs a few weeks after vaccination. So try to get your vaccination as soon as it becomes available. Also, vaccines are no substitute for old-fashioned prevention.
To those folks with a heightened fear over the next pandemic, I usually repeat the following mantra:
"It's in the spit; avoid the spit and avoid the flu, pandemic or seasonal."
This may seem an oversimplification but the fact is that influenza virus is carried in the droplets of saliva from an infected individual. An infected person can spread the virus into the air or onto an object, by a cough or sneeze, or onto an object by touching it with a contaminated hand. In order to get the flu you must be near the person sneezing or coughing and inhale the virus from the mist; or touch a contaminated object and then touch your nose or mouth.
So, if you maintain a safe distance from folks during the flu season-generally 2-3 feet when they are coughing or sneezing-and you avoid touching your nose or mouth with Some folks reading this may be skeptical that these simple measures can be of much help. But an unwashed hand, you will probably avoid the flu altogether this season.
Wash your hands frequently and you will not have to worry as much about that occasional reflex touch of the mouth or nose. In addition, you won't be spreading the virus to uncontaminated objects from which others can pick up the virus. But even during a raging epidemic, these basic precautions can significantly reduce if not eliminate your chance of coming down with the flu.