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Time for your annual flu shot

Environmental Health and Safety offers annual vaccinations to help fight seasonal influenza; clinics open Nov. 1

Seasonal influenza — commonly known as the flu — is heading our way again. To help protect yourself against this wintertime viral infection, Environmental Health and Safety recommends an annual flu shot in the fall. We will offer flu-shot clinics on campus beginning Nov. 1.

In addition to seasonal influenza, there are concerns about the possibility of avian influenza and pandemic flu, so it is important to understand how they differ.

Seasonal influenza circulates annually in the winter season. A contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, it is easily caught and spread. The flu typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children. Some people — such as older people, young children and those with certain health conditions — are at risk for serious flu complications.

Avian-influenza viruses that occur naturally in birds cause avian influenza, or bird flu. It is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds but can also, less commonly, infect mammals. As reported by the World Health Organization, 247 people have contracted avian influenza — primarily from direct contact with infected birds. Limited, inefficient human-to-human transmission is suspected in some of these cases. Recent cases are being reported from China, Indonesia, Thailand and Iraq. For more information on avian influenza, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/avian or www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en.

Pandemic flu is influenza that causes a global outbreak or pandemic of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Pandemics of influenza have occurred three to four times each century following the emergence of a new strain of the influenza virus. Since people have little or no protection against the new strain, it can spread rapidly around the world, causing a pandemic. The last three pandemics occurred in 1918-1919, 1957-1958 and 1968-1969. It is impossible to predict with any certainty when the next influenza pandemic will hit. Currently, there is no pandemic influenza in the world. For more information on pandemic influenza, visit www.pandemicflu.gov.

The single best way to protect yourself and those around you from the seasonal influenza is to get vaccinated each fall. While a good diet, vitamins and exercise all contribute to your general health; they may not be enough to protect you from the influenza virus, especially if you already have a medical condition. Vaccination every fall provides increased protection. Numerous studies show that immunization is effective in preventing the flu in all segments of the population. Furthermore, it reduces the seriousness of the disease should you contract it.

In addition to vaccination, the following good health habits can help reduce illnesses and sick days, and decrease the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu including pandemic influenza:

• Avoid close contact with those that are ill.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissue.
• Clean your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

The Environmental Health and Safety Department will begin flu vaccination clinics for Center faculty and staff on Wednesday, Nov. 1. For more information on influenza, and for detailed schedule of clinic dates and times, please visit the EH&S Web site at http://centernet.fhcrc.org/CN/depts/ehs/occupational_health.

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