HOUSTON BUSINESS REVIEW

Health Tip: Influenza Prevention 2006
By Mike Alexander Sr.

Mike is involved with several organizations including the National Association of Health Underwriters, Independent Insurance Agents Association, East End Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Small Business Owners, to name a few. Mike is a licensed Risk Manager and highly regarded in the insurance industry.

For more information on ABM and Mike Alexander, visit their site here.

Many people consider having the “flu” to be one of those inconvenient maladies of winter. Those of you who have actually had influenza, however, know the difference between the flu and a common cold. Influenza is a much more severe illness, with serious consequences including death. Consider the following statistics related to influenza infections in this country.

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
• about 36,000 people die from flu each year

The likelihood of serious illness and death is highest among persons aged
> 65 years, children aged < 2 years, and persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza. These medical conditions include heart disease, emphysema and diabetes.

Fortunately, with influenza immunizations, public health measures and  personal  hygiene we have the capability to significantly reduce the number of influeza infections and their attendant complications.


Influenza vaccine for 2006-07
 
   Influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its severe complications. Each year, the composition of the flu vaccine changes in anticipation of the strains of influenza most likely to be responsible for the winter’s epidemic. For the 2006-2007 influenza season, a trivalent flu vaccine (A/New Caledonia/20/1999
(H1N1), A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004) will be
used..

There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot" - an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in  people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not  pregnant.

Who should receive flu immunization?

In addition to the annual changes in composition of the flu vaccine, immunization guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control also change regarding such issues as who should be immunized, what type of vaccine should be used and when the immunization should be provided. The following are highlights of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control regarding Influenza
Immunization for 2006-07.

• Annual vaccination is recommended for children aged 6 to 59 months; women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; persons older than 50 years; children and adolescents receiving long-term aspirin therapy and at risk for Reye syndrome; adults and children with chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic illnesses (including
  diabetes); nursing home residents; health care workers and those who care for   patients at high risk for influenza
• All children aged 6 months to 9 years not previously vaccinated at any time with influenza vaccine should receive 2 doses of vaccine. Those who receive inactivated vaccine should receive a booster at 1 or more months after the first dose. Those aged 5 to 9 years who receive live attenuated influenza vaccine should have a second dose 6 to 10
  weeks after the initial dose.
• Inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended for children aged 6 to   23 months, children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years receiving long-term aspirin, women who will be pregnant, adults and children with chronic metabolic or other medical conditions predisposing to influenza, nursing home residents, those older than 65 years and individuals infected with HIV.
• Because of recent data indicating widespread resistance of influenza virus to these commonly used medications, neither amantadine (Symmetrel) nor rimantadine (Flumadine) should be used for prevention or treatment of influenza A in the United States.

What can be done to decrease flu transmission?

   Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. The following measures will help to prevent the spread of the influenza virus and to protect yourself from getting the flu.
 

• Avoid close contact
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose.
  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Clean your hands.
  Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

There are a number of actions that you can take to prevent influenza, foremost of which is to receive the influenza vaccination. For more information regarding influenza or to read the entire report from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr55e628a1.htm