Stay Healthy During Flu Season

by Paulette Avery, R.N., M.S.N., I.B.C.L.C.

Signs posted all over my workplace remind patients and employees that it is time to get the flu vaccine. Current recommendations for who should get the flu vaccine include children from six months to 18 years old, adults over 50 years of age, all health-care workers, women who will be pregnant during flu season, people with chronic health conditions and their caretakers, residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, household contacts and caregivers of people 50 or older and of children from birth to age five. In other words, almost everyone! Even if you don't fall into one of those categories, you can still get the flu vaccine. It may help you avoid becoming ill from the influenza virus or at least minimize your symptoms if you get it.

You should avoid the vaccine if you are in any of the following categories:

You are highly allergic to chicken eggs

You have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccine

You developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of getting the influenza vaccine

You are a child less than six months old

You have a moderate to severe illness with a fever. Wait until you feel better.

The best time to get vaccinated is from October to December, but getting the vaccine later in the season can still help to protect you. Officials say there is plenty of vaccine available this year, so the shortages we experienced a few years ago should not be a problem. And getting protection no longer always means getting a shot. FluMist, a nasal spray, is an option for "people two to 49 years of age who are healthy and who are not pregnant," according to the information on the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FluMist is made from a weakened flu virus in contrast to the vaccine used for flu shots, which is made from killed virus.

Besides getting the flu vaccine, what else can you do to stay healthy during the flu season? Based on what I've been reading, taking adequate amounts of vitamin D is probably one of the best things to do. Doing so may even be more protective than the vaccine, according to Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council, because it raises the effectiveness of the body's innate immune system. I've mentioned Dr. Cannell and his excellent Web site at www.vitamindcouncil.com several times in this column. He and several colleagues authored an article published this year in the Journal of Virology titled "On the Epidemiology of Influenza." In it, they propose the possibility that one of the primary factors in seasonal influenza cases is the vitamin D deficiency that occurs during the fall and winter months, when much of the world has less sun exposure and therefore a lower level of vitamin D. One study discussed in the article found that among 104 African American women, those taking 2000 IU of vitamin D a day had virtually no reports of colds or flu. You can access the entire article at his Web site by typing the title into the site's search engine.'

As a reminder, be sure the vitamin D you purchase is vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol. Taking enough vitamin D will not only help prevent the flu, but will also contribute to better health in many other ways. The growing volume of research on vitamin D has convinced me that getting adequate amounts through moderate sun exposure and supplements is extremely important.'

And remember the old standbys. Frequent handwashing, eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly also help maintain your health.'

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