Preventative measures, flu vaccine best defense in flu season

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bethany Druckenmiller
  • 62nd Medical Operations Squadron
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  This year's flu season is underway, and across the country many communities are beginning to feel the effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from October through early January, the United States experienced low levels of flu activity. Beginning in January, influenza activity began increasing. By the week ending Feb. 2, 31 states were reporting widespread influenza activity. 

Flu seasons are unpredictable and their severity depends on a number of factors, such as what influenza viruses are circulating and how well viruses in the vaccine match circulating influenza viruses. The CDC estimates that each year, 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, resulting in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and nearly 36,000 deaths. 

According to McChord Public Health, which conducts daily disease surveillance, the 62nd Medical Group has seen an increase in respiratory illness in all patient populations, but most are due to bronchitis, the common cold and other influenza-like illnesses. Very few patients have experienced an actual flu illness. This is largely due to the flu vaccine, which is the best way to prevent this illness. 

Influenza virus is spread primarily by breathing airborne virus particles in infected droplets, usually from coughing or sneezing. This type of spread predominates among crowded populations in enclosed spaces such as school buses. Transmission may also occur by direct contact with infected objects since the influenza virus may persist for hours, particularly in the cold and in low humidity conditions. 

Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. People begin to show symptoms one to three days after they are infected with the influenza virus. Symptoms usually begin abruptly with a fever of between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Chills, severe headache and muscle aches also occur. Victims often have a dry cough with severe chest pain. Influenza patients generally do not have runny noses or nasal congestion, which may distinguish the disease from the common cold or sinusitis. 

Other measures to prevent the spread of disease are frequent hand washing with hot, soapy water, covering coughing and sneezing with disposable tissues, disinfecting common-use items in the workplace (such as copiers and fax machines), eating right and getting plenty of rest. 

It is also important to stay home when ill to prevent giving it to others. Those infected are able to pass the disease along during the first three to five days from the onset of symptoms. Viral spreading ends once the member's temperature returns to normal without the use of medications. 

These preventive measures are also effective in preventing other communicable diseases and illnesses. It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. The 62nd MDG immunizations clinic continues to offer the flu vaccine throughout the flu season. 

It is offered to all beneficiaries on a walk-in basis from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic also offers informational brochures and pamphlets on the flu and how to protect oneself. For more information on influenza, contact Public Health or visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.