Fall is here, which means that cold and flu season is right around the corner. While there are some things people can do to prevent these viral infections, like hand washing, almost everyone will get at least one or two colds during the winter. This is especially true in children. While little can be done to prevent colds, the flu can actually be prevented with an annual flu shot.
Influenza contributes to the death of an estimated 36,000 Americans every year which makes it one of the leading causes of death. It hospitalizes many more. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to serious complications from the flu. It is a much more serious viral infection than other typical and more common respiratory viruses. And while it can usually be prevented with a vaccine, the virus changes every year and therefore a different flu shot is needed every year. Scientists determine every year which strains of influenza are likely to be most common, and the vaccines are changed every year to specifically target these strains.
The best time to get a flu vaccine is in October or November, before the flu really starts to spread. This year there seems to be a good supply of vaccine, with several more brands available in the U.S. this year, and an increased supply from most manufacturers. There are shots available for infants, toddlers, children and adults, both with and without mercury-based preservatives. There is also a flu vaccine that is a nasal spray available for children ages 2 and up and adults up to age 49. The nasal spray vaccine is not usually given to people with asthma or other serious chronic diseases or those who have weakened immune systems or who are pregnant. Children who are less than 9 years old and have not received a vaccine in previous years require two doses at least four weeks apart.
New in 2008 is a recommendation that all children ages 6 months to 18 years old receive a flu shot every year. Previous to this year, the recommendation was for every child 6 months to 5 years old. Also new this year is a lowering of the age for the nasal flu vaccine down to 2 years of age. The vaccine continues to be recommended for all adults 50 and older, those who live in a home with a small child or who work with small children or who live or work with those in high-risk groups. It is also recommended for adults with asthma, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, women who will be pregnant during flu season, and all healthcare workers. It is also recommended for all adults who want to lessen their risk of the flu.
Several years ago, the predominant flu strains developed resistance to two common anti-flu medications, amantadine and rimantadine, and it is recommended that these drugs not be used again this year to treat or to prevent infection with the influenza virus. Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can be used to treat influenza in children and adults if started within two days of the start of symptoms; they can also be used to prevent infection in high-risk individuals who have been exposed to influenza. However, some strains are now showing resistance to these drugs as well. Moreover, there are increasing reports of neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with influenza who are also taking these drugs, particularly in children. However, treatment is still recommended in children who are at risk of complications of influenza, such as those with asthma, and in those children with moderate to severe disease. Treatment should be started within 48 hours of onset of flu symptoms in order to be most effective. These drugs can also be used to prevent influenza infection in high-risk children and adults.
The flu can be a very serious disease, but it can be prevented. Now is the best time for both adults and children who are at high-risk or who want to lessen their chances of getting the flu to get their annual vaccine.
