Hot Topic: Get Ready for Flu Season
*Click here to download the client information form for the drive through flu shot clinic in Camden County Fall is in the air. Unfortunately, the weather cooling down is a sure sign that flu season is about to heat up. Every year, up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications. So how can you protect yourself? Get a flu shot.
Influenza, commonly called “flu,” is an extremely contagious respiratory illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu viruses are mainly spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Healthy adults can actually infect others before they even show symptoms themselves.
Having the flu can be a miserable experience. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Getting vaccinated every year is the best protection against the flu. There are two types of flu vaccines. The first is the flu shot which is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The second method of vaccination is the nasal-spray flu vaccine, FluMist®. The nasal-spray vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. FluMist® is approved for use in people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, there are simple things you can do to help prevent spreading or getting germs.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
* If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may protect those around you from getting sick.
* Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are oftens spread when a person touches something that’s contaminated with germs and then touches his eyes, nose, or mouth.
* Practice other good health habits such as getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious foods.
For more information about flu season and the flu vaccine, go to the Centers for Disease Control flu information page.
Flu shot clinics are scheduled throughout the Coastal Health District. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these convenient clinics or go to their local health department to get a flu shot. Medicaid and Medicare clients should bring their insurance information. For those not covered by Medicaid or Medicare, the cost of a flu shot is $25, payable by cash or check.
Flu Shot Clinics
Camden County Health Department
*Click here to download the client information form for the drive through flu shot clinic in Camden County
Drive-through flu shot clinic
Saturday, October 25
9 a.m. – noon
College of Coastal Georgia
8001 Lakes Blvd in Kingsland
Effingham County Health Department
Walk-in flu shot clinics
Friday, October 17 and Friday, October 31
Effingham County Health Dept.
802 Highway 119 South in Springfield
Long County Health Department
Walk-in flu shot clinic
Friday, October 10
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Long County Health Dept.
59 North Macon Street in Ludowici
Drive-through clinic
Thursday, October 16
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Long County Health Dept.
59 North Macon Street in Ludowici
McIntosh County Health Department
Drive-through flu shot clinic
Wednesday, October 1
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
McIntosh County Health Dept.
3510 Highway 57 in Townsend
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/get_ready_for_flu_season.php