Preventing the Flu
The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a
flu vaccination each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available in the United
States:
- The "flu shot" -- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is
given with a needle, usually in the arm. 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.
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 in Maricopa County. Visit
Community Information and Referral for a complete listing of flu shot locations.
The following additional measures can help protect against the flu:
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- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue
away after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance
from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. In this
way, you will prevent others from catching your illness.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
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Pneumococcal Vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease, which causes pneumococcal
pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. It is recommended for people 65 years of
age and older and younger people with special health problems such as heart and
lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, HIV infection, or certain types of cancer.
Pneumococcal vaccine can be administered at any time of the year, but flu season
is a very good time to get immunized along with the flu vaccine. Check your immunization
record or with your provider to see if you have received the pneumococcal vaccine.
A second dose of vaccine is only recommended if for people aged 65 and older who
got their first dose when they were under 65, if five or more years have passed
since the first dose.
Antiviral Medications
Three
antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir)
are approved for use in preventing the flu. These are prescription medications,
and a doctor should be consulted before they are used.