The topic? The flu.
Some basic points:
- Typically, the peak of flu season is in January and February. So we're headed into it right now.
- The Allegheny County Health Department has only one confirmed case so far this flu season from early December -- a female student who had not been vaccinated. The state health department also has another county is southwestern Pennsylvania with a confirmed case. For every reported case, there are many more that go unreported, so the numbers are higher in reality, but relatively light so far.
- The CDC has changed Pennsylvania's status from "sporadic" flu activity to "local" activity just in the last week.
- Symptoms of the flu are high fever, sweats, chills, muscle aches. If you have a sore throat, sniffles, congestion, you probably have cold, which is not the same virus.
- People at risk for complications are over 50, or are babies and toddlers. Also at risk -- people with a chronic illness. Some of the severe complications include pneumonia and brain swelling.
- People in "at-risk" groups should get a flu shot. But even if you're not in those groups, chances are you're in contact with someone in those groups. So to protect yourself and others, you should get a flu shot, too.
- It's not too late for a flu shot. It takes about two weeks to develop full protection, so NOW is the time to get it, before peak season.
- The vaccine makers track the strains of the flu viruses circling the globe, and that's how they predict which strains are most likely to hit during flu season. Viruses can mutate, and that's how they're off sometimes.
- In general, the annual flu shot 70 to 90 percent effective.
- Insurance generally covers flu shots. They run about $25.
- You can also WASH YOUR HANDS! Use soap, and scrub for at least 15 seconds. You can also use hand sanitizer.
- Another option is FluMist, an inhaled vaccine, made with live virus. It's for healthy people ages 2 to 49.
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