Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what’s new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
Flu and Cold Alert
Vol. 2 Issue 3
Cold and Flu Season Survival Guide
Things You Can Do To Prevent the Flu
What Is the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?
Types of Flu Vaccines and Who Should Get Them
What You Should Know About Using Antibiotics
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Allison Arnold
Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Flu Shots: Fact and Fiction
Fact
1. While not foolproof, the best way to prevent the flu is still to get a flu vaccine every fall.
2. Anybody at high risk for flu complications needs to get a flu shot. This includes children under 5, adults over 65, and anyone with medical conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or heart disease.
3. Health experts still highly recommend that seniors get an annual flu shot even though some studies in the past year have shown that flu vaccines may not work as well in people over 70. The evidence from the studies is not conclusive and some protection is better than no protection.
4. Generally people have no reaction to flu shots. Less than 25 percent of people have some redness and minor swelling at the injection site, and about 5 percent experience a slight fever, chills and/or headache within 24 hours. Symptoms only last a couple of days.
5. It is important to get a flu shot every year because the flu virus mutates from year to year.
6. If you are allergic to eggs or latex, have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), or have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past, consult your doctor before getting a flu shot. If you have a fever, you should wait until the symptoms pass before getting a flu shot.
Fiction
1. A flu shot will give you the flu.
False. It is impossible to get the flu from a flu shot because it is made from killed influenza viruses.
2. The flu is just a bad cold.
False. The flu affects the entire body and causes high fevers with body aches, headaches, nausea, and dehydration.
3. You can get the flu from wet hair or cold weather.
False. You catch the flu when you come in contact with somebody who is infected.
4. The flu shot is only for people at high risk for complications.
False. People at low risk should also get a flu shot to keep the flu from spreading.
5. If you haven't had the flu by December, it's too late to get a shot.
False. The flu season often extends through May, so it is never too late in the season to get a flu shot. However, the best time is in October or November.
For more information, see http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/283234/149/
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