Monday, November 17, 2008
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Flu Shot Clinic
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cold, Flu or Pnuemonia??
Health Feature Articles
Is it a Cold, the Flu or Pneumonia?
Gail Carlson, MPH, Ph.D., Continuing Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia
Your head hurts, your eyes are watery, your muscles ache, and your cough is getting worse. You feel like climbing into bed, turning on the vaporizer and taking something to relieve the symptoms. But is that going to do the trick? The common cold, the flu, and pneumonia can have similar symptoms. Mistaking one for the other can mean serious complications.
The chart below provides a summary of three illnesses frequently seen during the winter months: the common cold, the flu, and bacterial pneumonia. The viruses and bacteria that cause these illnesses are around all year. People are more likely to be exposed in winter, because they spend more time inside and in closer contact with other people.
| Is it a Cold, the Flu or Pneumonia? | |||
| Cold | Flu | Bacterial Pneumonia | |
| Fever | Rare in adults | Usual Abrupt onset* | Usual Abrupt onset** |
| Headache | Rare | Usual | Usual |
| Aches & Pains | Rare | Usual, often severe | Usual |
| Fatigue/Weakness | Slight | Extreme | Slight to Moderate |
| Runny, Stuffy Nose | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Chest Pain Cough | Mild to moderate hacking cough | Common, can be severe | Severe cough & stabbing chest pain *** |
| * Fever tends to be high 102-104 o F and lasts 3 to 4 days. ** Fever tends to be high 101-105 o F. *** Difficult painful breathing and a cough with thick rust, green or yellow mucus are common signs. | |||
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus. Actually there are 200 viruses that can cause a cold. On average, adults will have 2 to 4 colds a year and children will have 4 to 8. A cold almost always starts with a scratchy throat and stuffiness in the nose. Gradually other symptoms appear--sneezing, a mild sore throat, sometimes a minor headache and coughing. Runny noses are a common feature of colds. On the other hand, fevers are not common in adults. In small children fevers can occur but typically last only a few days. Colds are usually spread by hand-to-hand contact with another cold sufferer or by sharing objects like utensils, towels, and telephones.
The flu is an infection in the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs caused by influenza viruses A and B. Influenza is easily spread through the air by sneezing and coughing. Fever, chills, headache, achy muscles and fatigue all seem to come at once when you have the flu. Children may experience vomiting and diarrhea but this is not common in adults. Typically, when adults have these types of symptoms, they have been exposed to some other virus or bacteria.
Pneumonia is an infection of the bronchial tubes and tiny air sacs in the lungs. Pneumonia is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Bacterial pneumonia is serious and can be deadly. Usually people who have bacterial pneumonia are very sick. Symptoms begin suddenly with severe chills and a high fever. This infection typically follows a cold or flu. The person starts feeling better and then the symptoms suddenly worsen. Health care providers usually prescribe antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Individuals at risk of developing pneumonia are children under the age of four, older adults, and persons with conditions that compromise their immune system, for example, diabetes, asthma, cancer or AIDS.
Try Home Treatment for the Cold and Flu
Unless you have other health problems, wait a while before going to your health care provider if you suspect you have a cold. Antibiotics won’t help and neither will the new anti-viral medications. Try home treatment first. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of liquids. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the home. If you choose, take an over-the-counter medication to relieve the symptoms.
If the flu strikes, home treatment is also a good approach for healthy adults. A few years ago this was the only option. Today, there are antiviral medications available but they must be taken within two days of the on-set of flu symptoms to be effective. Antiviral medications don’t “cure” the flu but make the symptoms less severe. They are used most often in institutional settings like nursing homes and hospitals. Your health care provider can help you decide whether you should take antiviral medications. Like all medications, they do have side effects.
Prevention is the best policy
Prevention is still the best policy. We have all heard about this year’s shortage of flu shots. There is an option for some people. The nasal spray flu vaccine uses weakened living influenza cells and is recommended for use by healthy people between the ages 5 and 50. Your health provider can help you determine if this is a good option for you.
If you can’t get a flu shot, getting a pneumonia shot can protect you against this potential serious complication of the flu. It's a one-time shot for anyone 65 years of age or older. Younger people with heart and lung diseases, diabetes or weak immune systems should also get this shot. Check with your child’s health care provider, if you are not sure your child has been immunized.
While there are no guarantees, there are other things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming ill:
- Eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise, and learn how to manage your stress. If you are generally in good health, your immune system is better able to fight off illnesses.
- Wash your hands often, particularly when you are around people who have colds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Keeping your distance from others will protect them from getting sick too.
- Sanitize utensils, toys, equipment and furniture. This can help reduce the spread of colds in your home and thus reduce your risk of developing more serious complications like pneumonia.
If, in spite of all your efforts you become ill, take care for yourself. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and pay attention to your symptoms. If home treatment does not work or if symptoms worsen after they seemed to be getting better, contact your health care provider.
This article provides general information for educational purposes. Follow the advice of your health care provider; his or her advice is individualized to your situation.
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2004) Key Facts About the Flu: How to Prevent the Flu and What to Do If You Get Sick (Fact Sheet) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/keyfacts.pdf
Mettler M, Kemper DW (2003) Healthwise for Life. Bosie Idaho: Healthwise Incorporated
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (2001) The Common Cold. National Institutes of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/cold.htm
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (2001) Pneumococcal Pneumonia. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/pneumonia.htm
The American Academy of Family Physicians (2004) The Flu and Colds: Tips on Feeling Better. http://familydoctor.org/x4957.xml?printxml
Vickery DM, Fries, JF (1996) Take Care of Yourself. Reading Massachusetts: Perseus Books
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Monday, November 3, 2008
CDC Information on Flu and Flu Shots
The Danger of Flu to Children
Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and families.
- Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
- Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
- Some children will die from the flu each year. During the 2007-08 flu season, CDC received reports that 86 children died from influenza-related complications.
- Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
- Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
Vaccination Recommendations
Vaccination is the best method for preventing flu and its potentially severe complications in children.
CDC recommends that all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday get a flu vaccine.
CDC also recommends that people in contact with certain groups of children get a flu vaccine in order to protect the child (or children) in their lives from the flu.
The following contacts of children are recommended for influenza vaccination by CDC:
- Close contacts of children younger than 5 years old (people who live with them) should get a flu vaccine.
- Out-of-home caregivers (nannies, daycare providers, etc.) of children younger than 5 years old should get a flu vaccine.
- People who live with or have other close contact with a child or children of any age with a chronic health problem (asthma, diabetes, etc.) should get a flu vaccine.
- In addition, CDC recommends that all health care workers be vaccinated each year to keep from spreading the flu to their patients.
(For information about other people recommended for vaccination, either because they are at high risk for serious flu-related complications, or because they are contacts of high risk people, visit www.cdc.gov/flu
Children at Greatest Risk
Certain groups of children are at increased risk for flu complications. Children at greater risk of serious flu-related complications include:
1. Children younger than 6 months old
The flu vaccine is not approved for use in infants younger than 6 months old; however, the risk of flu complications is higher in these young infants than it is for any other child age group. The best way to protect children younger than 6 months is to make sure members of their household and their caregivers are vaccinated.
2. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
It is estimated that each year in the U.S., there are more than 20,000 children younger than 5 years old who are hospitalized due to flu. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply because of their age. In addition, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely to be taken to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu than healthy older children. To protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.
3. Children aged 6 months and older with chronic health problems, including:
- asthma or other problems of the lungs;
- immune suppression;
- chronic kidney disease;
- heart disease;
- HIV/AIDS
- diabetes;
- sickle cell anemia; or
- long-term aspirin therapy;
- • any condition that can reduce lung function (cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders).
When to Get Children Vaccinated
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the flu season, into December, January, and beyond. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time flu activity peaks in January or later.
Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to be protected.
Special Instructions for Children Being Vaccinated Against Flu for the First Time:
Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated. If possible, the first dose should be given in September or as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but who need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine. Two doses are necessary to protect these children. If your child needs two doses, begin the process early, so that children are protected before influenza starts circulating in your community. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.
Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to remain protected. If October and November slip by, and you haven’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, get vaccinated in December or later.