Take flu precautions seriously

Dr. John J.H. Schwarz, right, a member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff gets his flu inoculation from Julie Grattan, medical assistant in the BCHS occupational medicine department. BCHS held a 29-hour flu clinic for members of its staff this past week. In that time, the hospital gave shots to 1,068 BCHS associates, 42 physicians, and 138 members of the Regional Medical Lab staff.

Pick up any newspaper, visit the various news Websites, or turn on your TV or radio news programs and you are bound to hear something about H1N1 (swine) influenza. No matter where you hear about it though, the primary consistent messages are to be vigilant about protecting yourself from the influenza, and most everyone should consider getting their flu vaccinations.

"Influenza, commonly referred to as 'the flu,' is a respiratory illness spread by a virus that infects the nose, throat, bronchial airways, and lungs," says Dr. Gregory Harrington, a physician at Battle Creek Health System's Center for Infectious Disease and Pulmonary Medicine and medical director for the Calhoun County Public Health Department. "This highly contagious virus is spread via airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing. Incubation takes from two to three days."

What can you do to protect yourself against the flu this season? The best single way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu shot now as well as the H1N1 inoculation when it is available because the strains of influenza change from season to season.

Dr. Harrington, who is also one of the doctors in Mercy Community Physicians, a multi-specialty practice in Battle Creek, says that the flu can cause severe illness and for some, life-threatening complications. "Those in the high-risk category include those more than three months pregnant, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age, people between the ages of 25 and 64, and children and adults with chronic health conditions. Those are the first who should consider not only having regular influenza vaccinations, but also having the H1N1 shots when they become available this fall.

"There are a number of false assumptions about the flu vaccine," says Dr. Harrington. "Because it is made with inactivated virus it cannot give you the flu. It does, however, take a couple of weeks before your body builds up enough antibodies to be protective, so it is possible to get the flu in the period shortly after having the shot. It is also possible that the strains selected in the annual vaccine may not adequately reflect the most common strain in your area. And because the dominant strains vary each year, you have to be vaccinated every year to maintain protection."

For those who would rather endure a week of the flu instead of getting a shot, there is a painless option. FluMist is a live influenza vaccine delivered as a nasal mist. The Food and Drug Administration approved FluMist four years ago for healthy children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 and for healthy adults between 18 and 49. It is not currently recommended for children under age 5 or adults over 50. The spray, however, is more expensive than standard shots and could lead to limited cold-like symptoms 24 to 48 hours after vaccination.

The simplest method of avoiding the spread of infection is frequent hand washing, preferably with antibacterial soap from a sanitary dispenser. Other things that will help are:
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to elude spreading germs
If you are sick, do not go in to work or school -isolate yourself at home
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Wash your hands again and often

The traditional flu season brings the added threat of the Novel H1N1 flu. No matter the flu strain, the way to avoid or at least reduce your chances of contracting either virus is the same. Get your shots and practice good flu hygiene.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.