Do not get bugged by the cold and flu season

Another summer has blown by and we are rapidly approaching the cold and flu season. This past week, I caught up with Mary Reader, Bonner General Hospital's infection control director, for a bit of advice about the flu and the flu vaccine. Mary shared some important facts you should know in order to minimize your risk of contracting the flu this season:

What is influenza or the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness. It spreads easily from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Every year in the United States, flu causes more than 226,000 people to be hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from flu.

What are the risks from getting flu vaccine. I heard the flu shot can give you the flu.

The viruses in the flu vaccine are killed, so you will not get the flu from the vaccine. The risk of a flu vaccine causing serious harm is extremely small. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. Talk with your physician before receiving flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs, had an allergic reaction to flu vaccine or a history of Guillian-Barrre syndrome.

What side effects may occur after receiving vaccine?

The most common side effects from the flu shot are soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever (low grade) and aches. If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

Do I need flu vaccine. I never catch the flu.

Yes. Did you know that about half of all influenza infections are asymptomatic. You may have had influenza and not even known it. For those who do become ill, influenza is contagious before symptoms develop.

I am pregnant. Can I get the flu vaccine?

Yes. All pregnant women are at risk for influenza and its complications. Women who are pregnant should receive a flu shot and not nasal flu vaccine. A flu shot may be given at any time during the pregnancy.

What can I do to help prevent influenza and protect my family?

Get vaccinated, and encourage your family and co-workers to do the same. If you have infants or small children, please check with your family physician for current recommendations about giving them the flu vaccine.

Commit to minimizing your risk of catching the flu this season. If you have questions or would like more information about the flu or the flu vaccine, please contact Mary Reader, Bonner General Hospital's infection control director, at 265-3399.

• Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.