A flu shot now helps secure winter health

From October to May, known as flu season, millions of Americans are at risk of contracting influenza.

The best shot to get ahead of the sickness is to get inoculated, said Brian Labus, a senior epidemiologist with the Southern Nevada Health District.

“Flu season shows up every year,” he says. “It’s better to get the shot sooner in the season. It’s never a guarantee, but it can offer more protection.”

Labus says everyone should look into getting the flu shot.

“But the youngest and the oldest are highly encouraged,” he notes. “They have the weakest immune system and at the highest risk for complications.”

According to the health district, there are a few groups that shouldn’t get a vaccine, such as people who have had serious reactions to past flu shots, children younger than 6 months, anyone who has a fever or is sick, and people allergic to chicken eggs, which is an ingredient used to grow the virus used in the vaccine.

One myth Labus has heard about getting the flu shot is the chance of getting sick from it.

“That’s not true,” he says.

Even though there are different strains of the flu floating around each year, the vaccines that they have cover multiple strains.

“There can be changes to the vaccines every year,” he says. “This year’s (vaccine) isn’t changing from last year’s.”

According to the health district, the body develops antibodies about two weeks after the vaccination.

The Southern Nevada Health District offers shots. Pharmacies and doctors’ offices also offer cheap injections.

“They are widely available in the community,” Labus says.

There are two types of vaccination: the standard flu shot and a nasal-spray flu vaccine, which uses a live, weakened form of the virus that grows only in the nose and throat.

Beyond inoculation, Labus says there are everyday tactics people can use, such as washing their hands often. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective, experts say.

If people do get sick, Labus says they should stay home from work or school.

“It’s not like people feel up for leaving the house at that time anyway,” he says. “If you’re coughing or have a fever, you have the ability to spread the flu.”

According to the health district, people can infect others one day before getting symptoms and as many as five days after getting sick.

Labus says medications can alleviate some flu symptoms. The health district also encourages people to get plenty of rest, keep household surfaces clean and change linens frequently.

When returning to school or work, if people have symptoms such as coughing or sneezing, they should remember to cover their mouths. And they should immediately discard any tissue they’ve sneezed or coughed into.

Contact reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5201. Follow @mjlyle on Twitter.