By Dr. Jim Wilde
Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department
MCG Health System 

Doctors’ offices, health departments and hospitals across the country have begun offering the influenza vaccine to help the public prepare for the upcoming flu season. The optimal time for vaccination is October and November, so most people should plan on getting the vaccine during those months.

There are no recommendations this year to reserve vaccine for high-risk groups-children between 6 and 23 months, those older than 65, women who are pregnant, those with chronic illnesses and those in close contact with these individuals-since a vaccine shortage does not appear to be imminent. If there is an interruption in the supply, these recommendations may change.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. The virus is spread when it becomes airborne through coughing, sneezing or talking and infects the respiratory tract. Different strains of the flu occur every flu season, which usually lasts from late December through March.

The H5N1 “Avian Flu” that has been so heavily covered by the international media is still largely a problem only in birds; only a small number of human infections have been detected so far, none in the Western Hemisphere. Experts do not anticipate widespread problems with bird flu in humans this year. The current influenza vaccine does not contain ingredients directed against bird flu, but research is underway on avian influenza vaccines in case bird flu begins to be a problem in humans.

To help prevent flu, the public should follow common-sense steps such as frequent handwashing at home, school and work; avoiding close contact with those who are ill (or avoiding contact when you are ill); staying at home from work or school if you have the flu; and covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze.

Typical flu symptoms include a fever of 103 to 105 that lasts three to six days, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose and muscle aches. Vomiting and diarrhea are other flu symptoms that are common only in children.

If you are a healthy person and contract the flu, the best treatment is rest and remedies for the symptoms. Antibiotics are not an appropriate treatment and have no effect on the flu. In fact, with recent concerns over the rise of antibiotic resistance, the appropriate use of antibiotics, which only treat bacterial illnesses, has become even more important.

Antiviral medications are available for flu treatment. However, consumers should note that these medications must be given within 48 hours of onset of flu symptoms or they are ineffective. Antivirals also only shorten the duration of flu by about one day, are expensive and can have side effects. They are recommended mainly for patients in high-risk categories who could suffer severe complications, even death from flu.

 For otherwise healthy persons, a doctor’s visit is warranted for flu symptoms only if there is:

• fever that lasts more than five or six days.
• rapid breathing or chest pain.
• severe vomiting or inability to pass fluids (signs of dehydration).
• severe headache combined with sensitivity to light and a stiff neck (signs of meningitis).
• disorientation or confusion.

Those in high-risk categories should see their doctor as soon as they suspect they have flu. Annually, about 31,000 die from influenza (about 100 are children), and most are in the high-risk categories.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation, not employees of MCG Health, Inc.  MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.