2008 Woodie Awards
Influenza Vaccine given at Lewis
Jess Drazdik
Issue date: 10/28/05 Section: News
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Each year, approximately 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized because of the flu. The Center for Health and Counseling Services will hold an influenza vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 1 pm through 5 pm in the University Dining Room. The cost is $22. This clinic will be provided through Maxim Health Systems.
Influenza ("flu") is a very contagious disease. It is caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, some symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches.
Some people get much sicker. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart of breathing problems. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. The disease kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, mostly among the elderly.
The influenza vaccine can only prevent it. There are two types of vaccines: an inactivated (killed) vaccine, given as a shot, has been used in the United States for many years.
Also, a live, weakened vaccine was licensed in 2003. It is sprayed into the nostrils of the patient. Influenza vaccines are constantly changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended.
For most people the influenza vaccine prevents serious illness caused by the influenza virus. It will not prevent "influenza-like" illnesses caused by other viruses.
It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after the shot, and protection can last up to a year. Inactivated influenza vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.
Some inactivated influenza vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury. Some people believe thimerosal may be related to developmental problems in children. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine published a report concluding that, based on scientific studies, there is no evidence of such a relationship.
Influenza ("flu") is a very contagious disease. It is caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, some symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches.
Some people get much sicker. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart of breathing problems. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. The disease kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, mostly among the elderly.
The influenza vaccine can only prevent it. There are two types of vaccines: an inactivated (killed) vaccine, given as a shot, has been used in the United States for many years.
Also, a live, weakened vaccine was licensed in 2003. It is sprayed into the nostrils of the patient. Influenza vaccines are constantly changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended.
For most people the influenza vaccine prevents serious illness caused by the influenza virus. It will not prevent "influenza-like" illnesses caused by other viruses.
It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after the shot, and protection can last up to a year. Inactivated influenza vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.
Some inactivated influenza vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury. Some people believe thimerosal may be related to developmental problems in children. In 2004, the Institute of Medicine published a report concluding that, based on scientific studies, there is no evidence of such a relationship.
