Health Director: Don’t Be Casual About Getting Flu Shot

By John Voket

The confirmation of cases of influenza by the State Public Health and Yale School of Medicine Laboratories has Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert renewing her call to residents to get flu shots for themselves and every appropriate member of their family.

“My biggest fear is people are being way too casual about precautions and not getting their flu shots,” Ms Culbert said Tuesday after learning of the first confirmed cases locally.

The health district director said people may feel they can weather a bout of the flu, or believe they are simply too busy to make the time. But these individuals put themselves at risk for exposure, and then unknowingly spread the infection to many others, including weak, young, or elderly individuals in their family, work, and social circles.

Ms Culbert’s sentiment was echoed Tuesday by top health and government officials.

“Flu season has arrived here in Connecticut,” said Governor M. Jodi Rell. “I encourage all Connecticut residents to stay healthy this flu season by getting vaccinated for the flu and taking simple precautions like washing your hands and practicing proper coughing etiquette.”

All cases were identified as type A influenza. Two cases from Middlesex County were cultured and identified by the State Public Health Laboratory as the influenza A (H1N1) subtype, according to the state Health Department.

An additional influenza A isolate from a New Haven County resident was cultured by the Yale University School of Medicine virology laboratory. Additional reports are being received from Fairfield and Windham Counties.

Weekly updates that summarize the current level of influenza activity in Connecticut will be posted on the DPH website (see www.ct.gov/dph, click on “seasonal flu”)

DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH, MBA, urged Connecticut residents to talk to their doctors about getting a flu vaccination.

“The single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated — either by the flu nasal spray or injection,” stated Dr Galvin. “Vaccine supplies continue to arrive in Connecticut and there is still time to receive a flu vaccination to protect yourself this flu season.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sponsoring the second annual National Influenza Immunization week from November 26 to December 2.

“November is the best time to get vaccinated,” according to Dr Galvin. “However, getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years.”

People wishing to get vaccinated can check with their own health care provider. For those without health care providers or whose providers do not have flu vaccine, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Lung Association maintains a website listing public clinics.

There is also a Flu Clinic hotline available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm at 888-668-6358. The web address is www.alact.org. Information about flu vaccination clinics is also available through InfoLine at 211.

“Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death,” said Dr Galvin. “Flu vaccines are safe, effective, and cannot cause the flu.”

Every year in the United States, on average, five percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu.

Persons with influenza usually experience a rapid onset of fever, chills, headache, and muscle ache followed by a runny nose, sore throat, and cough, which is often severe and lasts for many days. Most persons with influenza recover within two to seven days.

Ms Culbert confirmed that those who are diagnosed with a bona fide case of influenza will likely survive with no after affects by receiving appropriate supportive care during the term of infection. But she strongly encouraged anyone who begins to feel symptoms coming on to avoid contact with others, and to stay home from work or school to minimize spreading the virus.

“The flu is very contagious. You can infect a lot of people before you know you have the flu,” she said. “Thousands die every year from the flu. If not for yourself, why put others at risk?”