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Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Fall 2004
Is the flu shot for you?
By Pamela Georgeson, DO, FAAAAI
 The season for influenza, commonly known as the flu, is quickly approaching, and it is important to stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. The flu can be life-threatening, but you can protect yourself, your family and friends. If you have asthma, you should take extra care to guard yourself against the flu.
The flu season normally ranges from November through March. Peak months are generally December, January and February. This viral infection can cause a severe asthma attack, which can lead to potential complications including pneumonia and hospitalizations.
Millions of people in the United States get influenza every year. An average of 36,000 people per year in the United States die from influenza, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of the flu.
Influenza is typically spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing via respiratory droplets. If someone with the flu coughs on you, you have a high chance of developing flu symptoms within four days after the initial exposure to that person. Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches and tenderness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
Proper flu management is important. You should get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and control fever and body aches with acetaminophen. If you feel seriously ill, you should always see your physician. Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics, like penicillin, will not cure it. The best way to treat the flu is to prevent it by getting a flu shot each fall, before the flu season begins.
The flu shot
The best time to get your flu shot is in October and November. It generally takes two weeks to develop immunity from the shot. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms after the shot, you may have caught another respiratory virus or already had the flu virus in your system when you got the shot.
 Who should get the flu shot?
Individuals, ages six months and older, are at risk for getting a serious case of influenza or complications from influenza. People in close contact with them, including household members, should get the vaccine.
Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and take medicines that do not contain aspirin to relieve symptoms.
The myth of “stomach flu”
Many people use the term “stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea and being nauseous can sometimes be related to the flu, particularly in children, these problems are rarely the main symptom of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.
To prevent the flu, a flu shot is a must. As always, you should discuss any questions that you may have regarding influenza or the flu shot with your physician.
For more information, visit the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site, www.cdc.gov/nip/flu, or call the CDC Immunization Hot Line at (800) 232-2522.
An annual flu shot is recommended for
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Everyone 50 years of age or older
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Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions
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Anyone who has a long-term health problem such as:
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Heart disease
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Lung disease
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Asthma
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Kidney disease
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Metabolic diseases, such as diabetes
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Anemia and other blood disorders
- Anyone with a weakened immune system due to:
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HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
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Long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids
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Cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
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Individuals, ages 6 months to 18 years, who are on long-term aspirin treatment
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Women who will be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season
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Physicians, nurses, family members or anyone else in close contact with people at risk of serious influenza
- Healthy children, ages 6-23 months
An annual flu shot is encouraged for:
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Household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants, ages
0-23 months, especially children younger than six months
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People who provide essential community services
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People at high risk for flu complications who travel to the southern hemisphere between April and September; people who travel to the tropics or in organized tourist groups at any time
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People living dormitories or under other crowded conditions
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Anyone who wants to reduce their chance of catching the flu
Who should not get the flu shot
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Persons with allergy to egg or thimersol
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Anyone who has ever been paralyzed with Guillian-Barre syndrome
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Persons who are currently ill and have a fever should delay vaccination until symptoms have subsided
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