To Your Health
What s New with the Flu?

by Paulette Avery, R.N., M.S.N.

Much of the information about influenza, commonly known as the flu, is not new but review. First and foremost, if you want to avoid its misery, now is the time to get the vaccine. The best time to get your protection is from September to mid-November. Remember that it takes one to two weeks for your body to develop immunity, so if you haven t gotten your dose this year, do it now.

One thing that is new this year is getting the flu vaccine as a painless nasal spray rather than by injection. The nasal spray has been tested in both adults and children and found to be safe and effective. One study found it was 83 percent effective in preventing development of the flu in children, and that vaccinating via the nasal passages may provide greater immunity than the more common injection. Though I haven t heard that the nasal vaccine is being widely used, it was expected to be available by this fall. Check with your doctor.

Since influenza causes 20,000 deaths each year in the U.S. and many more hospitalizations, the vaccine is highly recommended for people considered at high risk for developing complications. This includes people 65 years old and over, children and adults with chronic disease such as diabetes, lung, or heart disease, alcoholism, sickle cell anemia, liver or kidney disease, or immune system disorder. Check with your doctor if you have HIV. Children on long-term aspirin therapy and women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy should also receive the vaccine. Health care workers should be vaccinated both to protect themselves from the flu and to diminish the likelihood that they will transfer the flu to patients.

But anyone can get the vaccine. A group of researchers in Virginia recommended this year that all school children be vaccinated. Their research indicates that protecting children from the flu is cost-effective because of the savings in health-care costs as well as the savings related to lost work time for parents who must stay home to care for ill kids or who catch the flu from them. Some employers are also encouraging their employees to be vaccinated. The only group who should definitely avoid the vaccine are people allergic to eggs. Breastfeeding women can safely receive the vaccine.

The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness at the injection site. A few people get mild flulike symptoms. Many people have no reaction at all.

If you do get the flu, a new drug called Relenza (zanamivir) was recently approved by the FDA to treat influenza A and B. Like the other antiviral drugs already in use, it must be given within two days of the onset of symptoms to be effective. So if you think you have the flu, call your doctor right away and ask about treatment with one of these drugs. The newest one works by preventing the virus from infecting new cells. All of these antiflu drugs can minimize your symptoms and help you recover more quickly.

Another thing to keep in mind: New research has shown a clear connection between stress and the intensity of symptoms of colds and flu. In the study, a group of volunteers were injected with the flu virus. Those who tested higher for stress prior to receiving the virus suffered more intense symptoms compared to the volunteers who tested lower for stress. You can add that to the list of reasons for incorporating stress reduction into your life.

Stay well!

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer specializing in health issues.