Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Flu - Once Again


Most of the country is now experiencing flu – the levels are similar to peak levels in moderately severe seasons in the past. Nationally, the levels of hospitalization for influenza and pneumonia are just below the epidemic threshold. So far, Connecticut has been spared the burden of disease, but we are surrounded and it’s only a matter of weeks (or days) before our levels increase. The rate of infection for children younger than age 4 is increasing far faster than for the other age groups.

There is plenty of flu vaccine available and the shot can be obtained as a walk-in in many pharmacies. Immunization is important for anyone with a chronic medical condition, including those who are very obese (body mass index greater than 40). Children younger than 5 and adults older than 50 are considered high risk for complications and should be immunized.

There is a high-dose flu shot for people older than 65. Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza. Also, aging decreases the body's ability to have a good immune response after getting influenza vaccine. A higher dose of antigen in the vaccine is supposed to give older people a better immune response and therefore better protection against flu.

To learn more: flu.gov

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