1. What is influenza?

• Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus.
• It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart attack and death.
• It also can worsen pre-existing conditions such as heart failure, diabetes and asthma.
• Flu viruses are constantly changing. Every flu season, the flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness that season.
• The flu affects five to 25 percent of the U.S. population every year during the winter months.

2. Why get vaccinated?

• The flu vaccine is the first and most important step in preventing the flu.
• Seasonal flu kills 36,000 and hospitalizes more than 200,000 people each year in the U.S.
• Even if you get the flu despite having a flu shot, you will have a less severe case of the flu.

3. Who should get the flu vaccine?

• Everyone over six months of age should get vaccinated.
• High-risk groups include:
• Adults 65 years and older
• Children younger than five years
• People with chronic health conditions like asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease and neurological conditions
• Death from influenza is more common among people with heart disease than among people with any other chronic condition.
• Pregnant women

4. Who should not get the flu vaccine?

• People who are allergic to eggs.
• People who have had a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past.
• People with a history of Guillian Barré syndrome that developed after receiving the flu shot.
• People sick with a fever.

5. When should you get the flu vaccine?

• Get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available in your community
• Get the flu shot each fall, usually late Sept. to Nov.
• You can get the flu shot even later if the flu shots are still available because flu season usually peaks in Jan., Feb. or March.

6. What kinds of vaccines are available?

• Inactivated vaccine given by injection into the muscle (flu shot)
• Weakened live attenuated vaccine (nasal spray)
• Given in healthy, non-pregnant adults and children aged two to 49 years
• Not recommended for people with heart disease as it can trigger flu symptoms

7. What are the benefits of the flu vaccine?

• Protection for yourself 
• Protection for newborns and infants who are too young to get vaccinated
• Protection for people at high risk for complications from the flu

8. What are the usual side effects of the flu vaccine?

• Side effects from the flu shot vaccine:
• Mild arm soreness
• Redness, tenderness or swelling at the site of injection
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle aches
• Side effects from the nasal spray vaccine:
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Nasal congestion

9. Which flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women?

• The flu shot, not the nasal spray, is safe for pregnant women during any trimester.
• Nursing mothers can receive either the flu shot or nasal spray vaccine.

10. What else can you do to prevent influenza?

• Be vigilant about washing your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze into the crook of your arm.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except for getting medical care or other necessities.

Exercise Tip:

Birds of a feather flock together- when you work out with friends and family you will have more motivation.

Nutrition Tip:

Energy drinks have become popular with all populations and are everywhere you go – but use caution.  Most energy drinks contain over 200 calories per can and at or above the RDA daily recommendation for sugar.  Not to mention loaded with chemicals that have not been tested over time for effects on the body.

“Supplements”
Instructed by Candace Frantz
Held at Strongsville Library
18700 Westwood Dr., Strongsville
Thu., Oct. 27, 7-8 p.m.

To sign up for all or any of these free talks, contact Shannon Finkovich at
440-816-5395 or sfinkovich@swgeneral.com