Health InformationFight Flu and PneumoniaWhat What is the Flu? How Serious is it? Influenza, also called the "flu," is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
Who Who should get a flu shot? The following groups are at higher risk for having medical complications from influenza and should receive the flu shot:
In addition, to help protect high-risk people from exposure to influenza, these two groups should receive influenza vaccinations as well:
Some of these same groups should receive one-time vaccination for pneumococcal pneumonia. The groups at higher risk for invasive pneumococcal disease include those over 64 years old and others with increased susceptibility to this infection, such as patients with HIV, splenectomy, sickle cell disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic disorders of the lungs or heart, and cirrhosis. You can receive this vaccination on the same day that you get the flu shot, and for those covered under Medicare Part B, it is also free when ordered by a physician. However, the pneumococcal vaccine can be given at any time of year and is a once-in-a-lifetime vaccination for most people. If you don't have a spleen, or if you have chronic renal failure, HIV, cancer, or other diseases that compromise your immune system, ask your health care provider if a second pneumococcal vaccination is necessary. Where Where can I get my free flu shot? Your flu shot is free, if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and your health care provider accepts Medicare assignment. The Medicare program covers the flu shot and the cost of administration for beneficiaries. Medicare recipients do not have to pay coinsurance or a deductible under the flu shot benefit. For Managed Care Plan members, most must get their flu shot from their Managed Care Plan. Check with your Managed Care Plan first. For those covered under Medicaid, check first with your local social services or health department. Many private health insurance plans also cover flu vaccine. You can get a flu shot at your doctor's office. You may also be able to get a flu shot from your local health department or from other health-care providers. Medicare Part B will pay for the shot no matter where you get it, as long as the health care provider agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. To find local health care providers who accept Medicare as payment in full for the flu shot, you can also contact your Medicare Carrier. For the phone number of the Medicare Carrier in your area, see the Helpful Contacts section of this website. Ask the person giving the shot if there will be any cost to you. (Note: Managed Care Plan members may be required to get shots from their Managed Care Plan. Ask your Managed Care Plan for more information.) Why Why should I get the flu shot? Here are 5 reasons why:
When When should I get the flu shot?
Influenza is most common in the U.S. from December to April, so it's best to get the flu shot from October through mid-November. The vaccine begins to protect you after 1 to 2 weeks. Do I need a flu shot every year? Yes. Although only a few different influenza viruses circulate at any given time, people continue to become ill with the flu throughout their lives. The reason for this continuing susceptibility is that influenza viruses are continually changing, usually as a result of mutations in the viral genes. Each year the vaccine is updated to include the most current influenza virus strains. The fact that influenza viruses continually change is one of the reasons vaccine must be taken every year. Another reason is that antibody produced by the person in response to the vaccine declines over time, and antibody levels are often low one year after vaccination. Uh Oh I have the flu, what do I do? Once a person has the flu, treatment usually consists of resting in bed, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medication such as aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve fever and discomfort. Children with the flu should not take aspirin because of the associated risk of a rare, but very serious illness called Reyes syndrome. When should I call my doctor? Call your doctor if you have any signs of the flu and:
Treating flu with drugs. Antibiotics are not effective against flu viruses. However, there are two drugs-- amantadine and rimantadine--that can be used to treat some types of influenza infection. When taken within 48 hours after the onset of illness, these drugs can reduce the duration of fever and other symptoms and allows flu sufferers to return to their daily routines more quickly. Both of these drugs are only available by prescription. Rimantadine is a derivative of the drug amantadine. Amantadine, however, is more likely to cause side effects such as lightheadedness and inability to sleep more often than does rimantadine. |
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