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Hello Again Influenza!

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“Ask the Experts” is a new series on Baton Rouge Moms where local experts will share their thoughts, opinions and answer questions relating to health, wellness and parenting. If you have a question for one of our experts, please leave it in the comments below and they might answer in an upcoming post.

Ask the Experts Baton Rouge

It is November and with Mother Nature giving us a few tastes of winter weather, it can only mean one thing…the flu season is upon us once again. In fact, the flu is here with a vengeance as I have seen numerous cases of flu in my office especially within the past week. Therefore, it is important to start talking about how to protect children as well as adults from getting the flu. The flu is, of course, a virus that causes fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose and body aches. During the 2013-2014 flu season, the peak of flu activity across the country was from December through February, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed 108 pediatric deaths in the US due to the flu last year.

influenza flu

The current recommendations from the CDC as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is for everyone 6 months and older to receive the flu vaccine. The very young, those children with underlying lung problems such as asthma, people with low immune systems, as well as those who are pregnant are at highest risk for the more serious complications from the flu. Even if someone received a flu vaccine during the 2013-2014 flu season, it is important for them to have the vaccine again this year. Flu vaccines generally provide immunity from the flu for only short periods of time, somewhere between 6-9 months, which is why it is critical to receive a vaccine each fall.

Flu-vaccine-for-all-except-babiesThere are two flu vaccines again available this season. The trivalent vaccine protects against 3 strains of the flu while the quadravalent vaccine protects against 4 strains of the flu. It should be noted that both vaccines protect against 2 strands of influenza A virus, which accounted for almost 90% of positive flu cases across the country last year.  The flu vaccine comes in two forms…a shot and a nasal spray. For those 2-49 years of age who are otherwise healthy and are not pregnant, the flu mist is recommended. In fact, based on recent studies showing improved efficacy of the flu mist in children 2-8 years of age, the CDC is now recommending the nasal flu vaccine over the shot for that age group. If your child is under 2 year of age or any child with a history of wheezing or asthma, someone with a lowered immune system or if they are around someone with a very low immune system, then the flu shot is recommended over the nasal spray.

So what are the side effects of the flu shot and flu mist? The most common side effects seen with the shot include soreness or redness at the injection site, fainting, headache, and muscle aches. As for the nasal mist, children can have mild runny nose, sore throat, or cough that usually lasts 1-2 days. One very rare side effect called anaphylaxis is an acute and severe allergic reaction that would occur within 1-2 minutes of receiving the vaccine (so while you are still in the doctor’s office). It is estimated that anaphylaxis to a vaccine occurs in less than 1 in a MILLION doses. For those people with a history of significant egg allergy or those with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), which is an acute, paralyzing neurologic illness, they should talk with their doctor before receiving the flu vaccine.

Flu-Myths-vs-Facts-GSK

There are certainly myths out there in regards to the flu vaccine. Getting the flu shot cannot give you the flu! The shot is inactivated flu, meaning there is no live virus present, so there is no way to become sick with the flu from the shot. The nasal spray is a live virus vaccine but the virus is attenuated, meaning it is a much weakened version of the flu and can therefore NOT cause the true flu. This weakened flu strain that is present in the flu mist is “cold-adapted” which means it cannot cause any type of infection in warm places like the lungs.

It should be noted that it takes your body about 2 weeks from the time you get your flu vaccine to make the appropriate antibodies against the flu, so you are just as susceptible to the virus during that time period. Also there will always be “breakthrough cases” of the flu in those people who have gotten the flu shot. This is because the vaccine is not a 100% guarantee.   However, in my experience and from surveillance studies, those children who have gotten the flu vaccine and still get the flu virus, are less ill and have the illness for a shorter period of time.

So while you are heading out to stock up on warm winter clothing and preparing your home for the holidays, make sure to protect your children and yourself from the guest who didn’t receive an invite to Thanksgiving dinner…the influenza virus.

Flu Prevention: 8 Tips to Avoid the Flu

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The flu season is upon us, and there is no time like the present to adopt protective measures to keep colds or the flu at bay.   Unfortunately, many across the country seem to be catching the bug early on with reports of illness — particularly in the south –  New York, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama have been reporting widespread influenza — chiefly caused by H1N1 (swine flu) that is more likely to sicken younger adults than the elderly. A new report from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Louisiana is among ten states in the US where the flu is widespread meaning more than half the state is reporting flu activity.

The CDC reports more than 1,600 new cases in Louisiana last week.

At least five people have died from flu in Texas — all from swine flu. Health authorities say this year’s flu vaccine can prevent swine flu and several other flu strains, if people get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is a whole separate {hot} topic.Last year, according to the CDC, only 45 percent of Americans got the flu shot.

cold-and-flu-prevention

Flu or Cold? Know the Differences:

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Flu or Cold?

Helpful tips to prevent the cold or flu…

  • Washing Hands – The advice we have all heard a thousand times is still our best defense to keep away sickness. The simple act of washing hands is something most of us do every day without much thought. There really is an art to keeping hands clean. Washing prevents disease and promotes wellness. Use warm, soapy water and rub hands for 15 to 20 seconds. Sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice while rubbing, to keep track of the time.
  • Strengthen your immune system before it comes under attack.– Keeping yourself in top health and strengthening your immune system will help keep the flu and colds at bay. Probiotics will do wonders to boost the immune system! Echinacea and zinc help protect against colds too. Vitamin C is an essential year-round immune system booster.
  • Eat Garlic, and lots of it! – Garlic may have some infection-fighting capability. In laboratory tests, researchers have seen garlic work against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
  • Clean surfaces – I never walk into a grocery store without cleaning the grocery cart handle FIRST! Products such as hand sanitizer, wipes and sprays can do the trick! I never leave home without my travel sized Lysol wipes. Clean doorknobs, counter-tops, faucet handles, kitchen appliances, cell phones and the TV remote. 
  • Have your Vitamin D levels checked – If you or your child (like mine) seem to get any passing bug, you might want to consider the possibility of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D can help those with asthma and other chronic lung conditions. A recent study showed  that people with the lowest vitamin D levels report having significantly more cases of cold and flu than those with higher levels. Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight and is also found in fortified foods such as milk.
  • Get plenty of exercise – Exercise boosts the immune system by clearing out the lymph system. It also boosts mood which is a protective factor in the prevention of illness.
  • Cut down on sugar – Simple sugars, including glucose, table sugar, fructose, and honey caused a fifty- percent drop in the white blood cells ability to resist infections for several hours. Read more on the harmful effects of sugar.
  • Get your Z’s – According to Sleep Doctor Michael Breus, Ph.D. “There’s a significant body of research showing immune function is tied closely to the body’s 24-hour circadian clock,” says Breus. “When sleep is deprived, this cycle is weakened and disrupted, and the immune system suffers.” Research shows that even mild sleep deprivation is associated with deterioration in immune function. “The impact of even a few nights of disrupted sleep on immune function can linger even after sleep levels have improved,” he says.

Keep your immune system strong, protect yourself, wash hands, eat well and get your Z’s to prevent illness from striking! Check back  for Wellness Wednesday, we are share 10 tips for treating the flu naturally!

How do you protect your family from the flu virus?

Sources: webmd.com

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of this site is to share our experiences with food, fitness, and life. When it comes to your health, fitness, parenting, please be sure to do some research or contact your physician.