Vaccination "reduces the spread of the flu virus"

By ALLEN LAMAN
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The influenza season is in full swing and a representative from the County of Dubois Health Department is encouraging most locals to get the flu shot and to pay close attention to good hygiene practices during the flu season. next six months.

"The greater the number of people vaccinated, the more the spread of the influenza virus is reduced," said Jo Ann Spaulding, new director of the department. "It's all about prevention."

She added that people who get the vaccine and still get the flu may have mild symptoms. The local health unit administers the injections from 8 am to 11 am and from 1 pm to 3 pm from Monday to Friday. Appointments are not necessary. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to develop.

The flu strikes suddenly and can last for several days. Symptoms include fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, coughing, headaches and runny or runny nose. Spaulding has recommended that those with symptoms consult a doctor. She said that a good hand washing can also reduce the spread of the disease.

Thousands of people are dying of the flu in the United States and many more are hospitalized. Infants and young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant women and people with certain health problems or weakened immune systems are at greater risk of contracting the disease.

The flu season runs from October to May. According to information provided by the health department, there is no live virus of influenza in influenza vaccines, and vaccination can not cause the flu.

"Influenza vaccines are numerous and constantly changing," reads the document. "Every year, a new influenza vaccine is introduced to protect against three or four viruses that could cause disease in the next influenza season. But even when the vaccine does not exactly match these viruses, it can still provide some protection. "

Children six months to 8 years old may need two doses of the vaccine in the same season. Those with serious or life-threatening allergies or who have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition, should not receive the vaccine. People who are sick before receiving the shot may be asked to come back when they feel better