Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a potentially life-threatening, contagious lung disease caused by a virus. When influenza, commonly known as "flu," attacks the lungs, the lining of the respiratory tract is damaged. The tissues temporarily become swollen and inflamed, but usually heal within two weeks. The virus is passed through coughing or breathing.

Influenza can so weaken the body that it can contract pneumonia, influenza's most common complication. Flu and pneumonia combined are the fourth leading cause of death among all American women, and the fifth leading cause of death among all Americans over 65.

Flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever and chills, weakness, loss of appetite, coughing, and body aches and pain.

Who Needs The Influenza Vaccine?

The influenza vaccine may be administered to children between the age of 6 to 23 months, and to adults and children who wishe to reduce their chances of acquiring influenza infection,if they are within the priority groups established this year by CDC in response to the national flu vaccine shortage. These priority groups are listed below:

Certain people such as those allergic to the vaccine contents should not receive the vaccine. If in doubt, consult your physician. Otherwise the following people should receive the vaccine. For everyone else, the vaccine is considered optional.

• Persons age 65 years or older
• All children and adults who have chronic heart or lung disorders, including asthma.
• All children and adults whose immune system is suppressed; including people with AIDS.
• All children and adults who've needed regular medical follow-up during the preceding year for a metabolic disorder (including diabetes), kidney dysfunction, or any type of anemia or other blood problem.
• Children and teenagers up to age 18 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy (e.g., for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis); that circumstance raises the risk of rare but potentially fatal Reye's syndrome following influenza.
• All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
• Anyone having close contact, household or other, with those in high-risk groups, including persons involved in patient care and individuals caring for the elderly or for high-risk children.
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities housing patients of any age who have chronic medical conditions.

If you are unsure whether you fit into one of these categories, contact your doctor.

Influenza Vaccine

Influenza can be prevented or minimized with influenza vaccine--the flu shot. The influenza vaccine changes annually, reflecting the variability of the virus strain. For this reason, yearly flu shots are necessary. The optimum time to receive a flu shot each year is from October 1 through December.

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control determines which three flu strains are most likely to strike in the U.S., and a trivalent vaccine is developed to protect against these. The flu vaccine is about 75 percent effective in preventing influenza and reducing its severity. For information on this year's flu strains visit the Center for Disease Control.

You cannot get the flu from an influenza shot because the influenza vaccine is made from inactivated viruses. However, those with an allergy or sensitivity to eggs and other vaccine components should contact their doctor before taking the shot.

According to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta (CDC), influenza vaccine does not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants. Breastfeeding does not adversely affect immune response and is not a contraindication for vaccination. Pregnant women or new mothers should consult a health care professional before receiving a flu shot.

Influenza vaccines are offered each fall at a variety of convenient locations in Washington state, including supermarkets, pharmacies, walk-in medical facilities, hospitals, doctors' offices and public health clinics. For information on flu prevention and control visit the Centers for Disease Control .

Flu Shot Provider Contacts in Washington State

YOU ARE RECOMMENDED TO CALL ALL LOCATIONS LISTED BELOW IN ADVANCE
TO SEE IF YOU FIT THE PRIORITY GROUPS THAT SHOULD RECEIVE A FLU SHOT FIRST
AND IF THESE PROVIDERS ARE OFFERING FLU SHOT CLINICS

• Safeway Stores - Contact your local store directly
• Fred Meyer Pharmacies - Contact your local store directly
• Group Health Clinics - 800-992-2279 (GH members only)
• GetAFluShot.com - 888-536-6900
• Spokane Regional Health District's Flu Hotline is (509) 324-1643
• Panhandle Health District - (208) 415-5299
• Long's Drugs - Contact your local store directly
• Snohomish Health District - (425) 339-5220 (Everett) & (425) 339-5230 (Lynnwood)
• Public Health - Seattle & King County's local clinics
• Valley Medical Center - 425-656-5304
• Virginia Mason Cold and Flu Advisory Line - 1-800-436-8935
• Visiting Nurse Services of the NW - 800-449-2221
• Yakima Health Department - 509-249-6541

Pneumonia

Since 1960, pneumonia has been the leading killer by infectious disease in the U.S.

Influenza viruses A and B are the most common causes of viral pneumonia, which accounts for approximately 50 percent of all pneumonias.

Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. In healthy individuals, and especially in people whose body defenses are weakened, the bacteria can multiply and cause serious damage or death. Pneumococcal pneumonia accounts for 10-25 percent of all pneumonia, but causes an estimated 40,000 deaths annually.

Pneumonia Vaccine

Pneumonia vaccination is a highly effective way to protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia. The American Lung Association® and the Centers for Disease Control recommend pneumonia vaccination for people over 50, and for others at risk. Pneumonia shots are not required yearly; however, adults and children who received their first shot over six years ago should check with their doctor about re-vaccination.

People at high risk for pneumonia include the elderly, the very young, or those with diabetes or chronic lung disease. Also at risk are people with diseases that impair the immune system, such as AIDS, asthma, or those undergoing cancer therapy or organ transplantation.

Pneumonia affects the lungs in two ways. Lobar pneumonia affects a lobe of the lungs, and bronchial pneumonia affects patches throughout both lungs.

Pneumonia immunization can be given throughout the year at any time. For more information about pneumonia and the pneumonia vaccine, call your doctor or public health department.