Colder than average
temperatures have brought an early start to flu season.
Holiday travel, family gatherings,
and students traveling home from around the country brings large groups of
people together, increasing chances for the spread of a virus.
“The good news is that if people
who haven’t been vaccinated yet get a flu shot right now, they will be
protected” (for the next holiday), says Dr. Henry Anderson of the State Health Office.
Wisconsin Department of Health
Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that anyone
over six months get a flu shot.
College students traveling home for
Thanksgiving may return to school with a bug or bring one back home for Christmas, so now would be a good time for
this group to get inoculated.
“No one wants to be sick for finals
or the holidays, and they don’t want to be responsible for spreading illness,
either,” adds Anderson.
This year’s flu vaccine covers all
currently circulating strains of the illness.
So far this season there have been
fewer than 10 hospitalizations in Wisconsin, a number that is expected to
increase. Cases of Influenza A and B have already been reported across the
state.
In addition to getting a flu shot,
frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping commonly
touched surfaces clean can help prevent the spread of the flu.
Both injected and nasal mist
applications of the 2013 flu vaccine are available at most health care
providers, public health departments, and some drug stores. College students can
contact their school’s health services for campus immunization schedules. For
more information on where to find a nearby vaccination clinic or participating
pharmacy, visit www.flu.gov.
