Caregivers & Families

Organizing Your Defenses Against the Flu

Protecting yourself from the flu this year is going to be a little more complicated than usual, thanks to the appearance last spring of the H1N1 virus, but it’s really very doable. The problem is that H1N1 appeared on the scene too late for it to be included in the yearly seasonal flu vaccine. To be protected against both H1N1 and the seasonal flu, you will have to be vaccinated twice, according to recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control information.

Dual Vaccination Strategy

It turns out that separating these vaccines does have some advantages. That’s because the H1N1 virus seems to target different groups than the seasonal flu. H1N1 is much more prevalent in children, while 90 percent of the deaths and 60 percent of the hospitalizations for seasonal flu are among those over 65.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends H1N1 flu vaccination for pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, health care workers, young people ages 6 months to 24 years and people 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions or weakened immunity.

By contrast, it recommends the seasonal vaccine for pregnant women, people caring for infants up to 6 months old, infants and young people 6 months to 19 years old; people 50 and older, people with chronic disease, and health care workers and others who want to reduce their risk of getting sick.

The seasonal flu vaccine is already widely available, while the H1N1 vaccine started to appear at clinics in October. Getting vaccinated early is a good plan since it gives your body the time to build up immunity.

Keep the Virus at Arm’s Length

While vaccination is your first line of defense against both forms of flu, there are other steps you can take. Flu viruses spread from person to person when people breathe droplets released into the air when someone coughs and sneezes. The virus can also be spread when people touch droplets that have landed on another person or object and then touch their own mouths, noses, or eyes before washing their hands. You can break the cycle of transmission by taking these precautions:

• Wash your hands often and well, spending 15 to 20 seconds scrubbing them with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as much as possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Stay away from people who are sick.

By far, most people who come down with the flu recover completely, but it only makes sense to be safe. By protecting yourself, you’re also protecting others.

Web Resource

To find a flu clinic in your area, visit the American Lung Association’s Flu Clinic Locator.

Need a Flu Shot?

Some Sunrise communities host flu clinics during the autumn. Contact your local Sunrise to see if they will be hosting one.

 

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