Plattsburgh, NY

                                                                                                                                                                         

SEASONAL FLU (INFLUENZA) INFORMATION

               


Flu (Influenza) Information


The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall.

The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant

(Source for content on this page: Center for Disease Control, and NY State Department of Health)
 


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NOTE:
You can call the INFORMATION LINE for the latest updates on the FLU Vaccine shortage as it pertains to Clinton County.  The number is 518-565-4490.  Choose option 1 (Immunizations) and then select option 2 (For Adults).



Click Here for the NEW Flu Clinic Schedule - 2007



 

 

                        


What are the Flu Symptoms?

Symptoms of flu include:
• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults



How Does it Spread?

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.


Related Topics to Help Prevent the Flu


Cover Your Cough

Wash Your Hands


How to Treat the Flu

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco

Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms – and particularly fever – without first speaking to your doctor.)

In some cases, your doctors may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu. (Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics [like penicillin] don't work to cure it.)


Who Should Get Vaccinated?

  • all persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others;
  • all children aged 6–59 months (i.e., 6 months–4 years);
  • all persons aged >50 years;
  • children and adolescents (aged 6 months–18 years) receiving long-term aspirin therapy who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
  • women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
  • adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
  • adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus;
  • adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
  • residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;
  • health-care personnel;
  • healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children aged <5 years and adults aged >50 years, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged <6 months; and
  • healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.


Who Can Get the Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine

• All (non-pregnant) healthy people 2-49 years of age;
• Household members or out-of-home caregivers of healthy children 0-59 months old;
• Employees of nursing homes or long-term care facilities; and
• Physicians, nurses, and most other health care workers.



Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated


• People with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome; and
• People who are allergic to chicken eggs or any other component of the vaccine.



Can I Still Get a Flu Vaccination After the Scheduled Clinics are Over?

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Clinton County has a good supply of the flu vaccine still available. Please call 565-4848 for available flu clinics or private appointments.


What About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) or Pandemic Information?

The Clinton County Health Department monitors current developments through CDC.

For more information regarding the Avian or Pandemic flu please visit the web page on the topic here.


More Information

CCHD How to Stay Healthy
CCHD Is It a Flu or a Cold?
CCHD Flu Info for Schools
CCHD TLC Brochure

CDC's (VIS) "Inactivated" Flu Vaccine
CDC's (VIS) "Live Intranasal" Flu Vaccine (nose spray)



Flyers, Posters and Brochures to Post


Click here for "Someone at Home has the Flu" brochure
Click here for "Stay at Home" poster
Click here for "Ask about a Mask" brochure






Contact Us

To receive more information, call or visit us at:

Clinton County Health Department
Health Services Unit
133 Margaret Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Tel: (518) 565-4848

 

                                                                               
                                                            
              Note:  These are external web links.
                                                                                                                                                                       
 

Clinton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision
of services. The information on the Clinton County Health Department website is for educational purposes only. Nothing on the pages of this site shall be construed
as medical, fitness, dietetic, or other professional advice. This information is based on current beliefs among researchers and research studies published in the
current scientific literature. Clinton County is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse any content on external web links.

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