Schedule of COVID-19 and flu vaccine pop-up clinics through ... London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
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OverviewThe flu, common cold and COVID-19 have similar symptoms. The flu and COVID-19 can be severe, but colds rarely are.What is the flu (influenza)?
The flu is an illness you get from the influenza virus. It causes symptoms like head and body aches, sore throat, fever and respiratory symptoms, which can be severe. Flu is most common in winter months, when many people can get sick at once (an epidemic).
Flu season when cases of the flu go up dramatically in the Northern Hemisphere (which includes the U.S.) is October through May. The highest number of cases (peak) usually happen between December and February.
The flu is one of the most common infectious diseases. Every flu season, about 20 to 40 million people in the U.S. catch the flu.
The flu and the common cold can have similar symptoms, like runny nose and cough. But cold symptoms are usually mild and flu symptoms can be severe and lead to serious complications. Different viruses cause colds and the flu.
Since they have similar symptoms, the only way to know for sure if you have the flu or COVID-19 is to get tested. They both have a risk of serious illness. But different viruses cause these infections, and providers treat them with different medications.
Certain health conditions can put you at higher risk for severe illness from the flu. This includes life-threatening complications that require hospitalization. Youre at higher risk for serious illness if you:
Non-Hispanic Black people, non-Hispanic American Indians, Alaska Native people and Hispanic or Latino people have the highest rates of severe illness from the flu compared to non-Hispanic White people and non-Hispanic Asian people.
Symptoms of the flu usually come on quickly, and can include:
You may not have all of these symptoms.
The influenza virus causes flu. Influenza A, B and C are the most common types that infect people. Influenza A and B are seasonal (most people get them in the winter) and have more severe symptoms. Influenza C doesnt cause severe symptoms and its not seasonal the number of cases stays about the same throughout the year.
H1N1 (swine flu) and bird flu are both subtypes of influenza A.
Yes, the flu is contagious (it spreads from person to person). For every person infected, they spread the flu to one to two more people.
The influenza virus spreads from direct or indirect contact with someone else whos infected. Common ways to get the flu include:
If infected, youll usually get symptoms of the flu one to four days after exposure (incubation period).
Your provider diagnoses the flu by listening to your symptoms and testing a sample of mucus from your nose. Theyll put a long stick with a soft tip (swab) in your nose to test for influenza. Results may take a few minutes or your provider may send the sample to a lab, where youll get results in a day or two.
Providers can treat the flu with antiviral medications under certain circumstances. Antivirals can reduce your risk of severe illness and shorten the amount of time youre sick. Many people can treat the flu without prescription medications. Providers prescribe antivirals if you:
Antiviral drugs for influenza include:
Tell your provider about any health conditions you have before starting an antiviral medication.
Each antiviral medication has different side effects, but common ones include nausea and diarrhea. Inhaled medications can cause spasms that tighten and narrow your airways (bronchospasm).
Many people can manage the symptoms of flu at home with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and other therapies, including:
Not everyone should take certain OTCs, so check with your provider before you use them. Its also a good idea to make sure certain medications are okay to use together or with supplements. Dont give aspirin to children under the age of 16 unless their provider says its okay.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year. Vaccines train your immune system to recognize infections and fight them off before you get sick. The influenza virus can change (mutate) a little bit every year, which is why you need to get vaccinated every year.
Even if you get sick with a different version of the flu than the one in the vaccine, vaccination reduces your risk of getting seriously ill. Your provider can give you the flu vaccine as a shot or as a mist they spray into your nose.
Other ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu include:
Most people are able to manage flu symptoms at home and recover within a few days to a week. Because it can cause severe illness, its important to keep an eye on your symptoms and get medical attention if you need it. This is especially important if you have an underlying health condition.
If youre sick with the flu, you should avoid being around others, except to seek medical care.
Flu can last from a few days to two weeks. Symptoms like fever and body aches can come on suddenly but usually go away faster than other symptoms. A cough or runny nose can last longer.
You can be contagious with the flu from a day before your symptoms start to up to a week after. Youre most contagious for three to four days after your symptoms start. People with weakened immune systems and infants may be contagious for longer.
To avoid spreading the flu to others, you shouldnt go back to work or school until its been at least 24 hours since youve had a fever (without taking fever-reducing medications). Your employer or school may have different requirements for returning.
The flu virus itself can cause complications or it can weaken your immune system and allow bacteria to infect different parts of your body (secondary infection). Complications and secondary infections include:
In a typical flu season in the U.S., its estimated that between 20,000 and 50,000 people die from the flu. Another 300,000 to 500,000 require hospitalization for serious illness.
If you think you have the flu, its important to get tested early on so that antiviral medications are most effective if your provider prescribes them. Contact a healthcare provider right away if:
Go to the ER or seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of severe illness, including:
No, gastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu, isnt caused by the influenza virus. Its not related to the seasonal flu.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
While the flu is very common, its also important to remember that it can lead to life-threatening complications. Getting your flu shot is the best way to avoid getting sick and protect your loved ones and neighbors, too. If you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, talk to your provider about reducing your risk of flu. Having the flu isnt fun for anyone, but most people can get through with some movies and chicken soup at home.
Continued here:
Flu (Influenza): Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic
The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit created resources to assist in the planning and operation of vaccination clinics, including annual flu clinics, school-based clinics, and vaccination clinics. This document summarizes key points in running a successful clinic, and provides links to many other useful resources. Learn more: Tools to Assist Satellite, Temporary, and Off-Site Vaccination Clinics
CDC also has a clinic resource page entitledGuidance for Planning Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations, which outlines the logistics and considerations needed to plan a vaccination clinic.
Public providers interested in holding vaccination clinics may benefit from enrolling in theVaccine Reimbursement Program for Public Providers. Commonwealth Medicine, the health care consulting division of UMass Medical School, manages this program that reimburses public providers for vaccines and their administration by billing health plans.
Influenza vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. CDC's clinical guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines states that any vaccine may be given on the same day or any day before or after COVID-19 vaccination, at a different anatomic site. If administered at the same time, COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccines that might be more likely to cause a local reaction (aIIV4 or HD-IIV4) should be administered in separate limbs, if possible. Learn more: Coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines.
Always screen patients for contraindications and precautions before a vaccine is administered, even if the same vaccine was administered previously. A patients health status or the recommendations for contraindications and precautions may have changed since the last dose was given. Screening helps prevent adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis. At each visit, use a standardized screening tool to assess patients consistently and correctly. Screening forms can be found at theImmunization Action Coalition website.
Clinic Vaccine Administration Record(DOC) is an important tool for vaccination clinics. It serves as a centralized location to keep track of required documentation for vaccinations, including brand and lot number of vaccine administered, dose, and route of administration.
TheWithdrawal of Permission Sample Form for Schoolscan be modified by districts/schools to fit their needs. It can be used for parents to withdraw previously given permission for a child to receive a vaccination at school.
MDPH has developedModel Standing Ordersfor influenza and other vaccine preventable diseases.
For guidance on how to properly store vaccines, please visit theVaccine Managementpage as well as theCDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit
Originally posted here:
A universal flu vaccine: Here's what you need to know World Economic Forum
Originally posted here:
A universal flu vaccine: Here's what you need to know - World Economic Forum
Flu & COVID-19
With both flu and COVID-19 circulating this season, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones on the CDC website:
For more information about COVID-19, see the COVID-19 section of our website.
The flu spreads easily, and there are lots of ways to catch it.
The flu is especially hard on older adults and small children, so keep your family protected.
Because getting the flu is easy, but getting the shot is even easier.
DSHS encourages you to protect yourself and your family by getting the flu shot as soon as possible. We urge everyone six months old and older to get vaccinated every flu season.
Get a flu shot now. Its the best way to protect yourself and others from serious flu illness.Flu Vaccination Info & Finder
Wash your hands frequently. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Stay home if youre sick.Flu Prevention Tips
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