Take flu precautions seriously
Dr. John J.H. Schwarz, right, a member of the Battle
Creek Health System medical staff gets his flu inoculation
from Julie Grattan, medical assistant in the BCHS occupational
medicine department. BCHS held a 29-hour flu clinic for
members of its staff this past week. In that time, the
hospital gave shots to 1,068 BCHS associates, 42 physicians,
and 138 members of the Regional Medical Lab staff.
Pick up any newspaper, visit the various news Websites,
or turn on your TV or radio news programs and you are
bound to hear something about H1N1 (swine) influenza.
No matter where you hear about it though, the primary
consistent messages are to be vigilant about protecting
yourself from the influenza, and most everyone should
consider getting their flu vaccinations.
"Influenza, commonly referred to as 'the flu,'
is a respiratory illness spread by a virus that infects
the nose, throat, bronchial airways, and lungs," says
Dr. Gregory Harrington, a physician at Battle Creek Health
System's Center for Infectious Disease and Pulmonary
Medicine and medical director for the Calhoun County
Public Health Department. "This highly contagious
virus is spread via airborne droplets from coughing and
sneezing. Incubation takes from two to three days."
What can you do to protect yourself against the flu
this season? The best single way to prevent the flu is
to get an annual flu shot now as well as the H1N1 inoculation
when it is available because the strains of influenza
change from season to season.
Dr. Harrington, who is also one of the doctors in Mercy
Community Physicians, a multi-specialty practice in Battle
Creek, says that the flu can cause severe illness and
for some, life-threatening complications. "Those
in the high-risk category include those more than three
months pregnant, people who live with or care for children
younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency
medical services personnel, persons between the ages
of 6 months and 24 years of age, people between the ages
of 25 and 64, and children and adults with chronic health
conditions. Those are the first who should consider not
only having regular influenza vaccinations, but also
having the H1N1 shots when they become available this
fall.
"There are a number of false assumptions about
the flu vaccine," says Dr. Harrington. "Because
it is made with inactivated virus it cannot give you
the flu. It does, however, take a couple of weeks before
your body builds up enough antibodies to be protective,
so it is possible to get the flu in the period shortly
after having the shot. It is also possible that the strains
selected in the annual vaccine may not adequately reflect
the most common strain in your area. And because the
dominant strains vary each year, you have to be vaccinated
every year to maintain protection."
For those who would rather endure a week of the flu
instead of getting a shot, there is a painless option.
FluMist is a live influenza vaccine delivered as a nasal
mist. The Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist
four years ago for healthy children and adolescents between
the ages of 5 and 17 and for healthy adults between 18
and 49. It is not currently recommended for children
under age 5 or adults over 50. The spray, however, is
more expensive than standard shots and could lead to
limited cold-like symptoms 24 to 48 hours after vaccination.
The simplest method of avoiding the spread of infection
is frequent hand washing, preferably with antibacterial
soap from a sanitary dispenser. Other things that will
help are:
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to elude spreading
germs
If you are sick, do not go in to work or school -isolate
yourself at home
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze
Wash your hands again and often
The traditional flu season brings the added threat of
the Novel H1N1 flu. No matter the flu strain, the way
to avoid or at least reduce your chances of contracting
either virus is the same. Get your shots and practice
good flu hygiene.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network,
is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery
Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint
replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades
is a leading health care information company that provides
objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides
excellent health care for the community and promotes
wellness for the whole person with access and compassion
for all. For the latest medical information, visit the
BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing
Department at (269) 966-8132.
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