2006-2007 Flu Season Arrives

KDHE Urges Kansans to Practice Good Hygiene and Get a Flu Shot

Pleasant fall temperatures, colorful leaves and trick-or-treaters signal not only the beginning of autumn, but also the arrival of an unwelcome annual visitor – the start of flu season. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) urges Kansans to practice good hygiene and get a flu shot to minimize the spread of illness and reduce the chances of getting sick.

“Each year, up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, and about 1,000 Kansans die from flu or its complications,” said Dr. Howard Rodenberg, KDHE director of health. “You can pick up the flu virus from other people at school or work, the grocery store or at a sporting event – virtually anywhere. Now is the time to think about protecting yourself.”

What is the flu and how is it spread?

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms of the flu include: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of other chronic conditions.

“The flu is a respiratory illness that is passed from person-to-person by coughing and sneezing, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth,” said Rodenberg.

Each year the virus mutates into various strains and a new vaccine is created to combat the strain that is most like to emerge as the most contagious. The influenza vaccine prepared for the 2006-2007 season will include A/New Caledonia/20/1999 (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigens. For the A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like antigen, manufacturers may use the antigenically equivalent A/Hiroshima/52/2005 virus; for the B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like antigen, manufacturers may use the antigenically equivalent B/Ohio/1/2005.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. October and November are the ideal months to receive the flu vaccine. However, a person can still be protected from contracting the flu by getting a flu shot in December or after. It takes at least two weeks to build immunity after getting your shot. The vaccine itself cannot cause you to get the flu because it does not contain any live virus.

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. KDHE and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) especially recommend that the following groups receive a flu shot each year, as early as possible:

• Children age 6 months to age 5 years
• Pregnant women
• People age 50 and older
• People with chronic medical conditions
• Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities
• Household contacts of people at high-risk of contracting the flu (listed above)
• Household contacts of children under age 6 months
• Health care workers

Certain groups of people should not be vaccinated:

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
• People who have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccination in the past
• Infants less than 6 months old

“As with any illness, proper hygiene goes a long way in preventing transmission. Wash your hands regularly – especially before eating and after using the restroom. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay home from work or school if you are sick,” said Rodenberg. “These are good things to do each and every day to prevent all kinds of illnesses.”

Kansas participates in a sentinel surveillance program with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) every flu season to monitor the level of flu activity in Kansas. The state will begin submitting flu data to the CDC later this month.

Flu treatment

Persons who contract the flu should get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Take a non-aspirin pain reliever to help reduce fever. Over-the-counter products may be effective to alleviate cough and body aches.

Your doctor may recommend use of an antiviral medication to help treat the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for five days and must be started within two days of illness.

For more information about flu please visit www.kdheks.gov/flu/ or www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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