Local medical professionals tout effectiveness of immunizations

By: Heidi Terry-LitchfieldHerald Writer

Created: Sunday, September 21, 2008 12:00 a.m. CDT

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Diane Hilliard, a student pharmacist with Drake University, gives lab director Dr. Sentrini her flu shot for the 2008-09 flu season at Morris Hospital. (Herald Photo by Heidi Terry-Litchfield)

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Morris Hospital employee Denise Fleming is thankful for the flu shots her employer offers. “I had a good friend who had the flu and ended up in the ICU,” said Fleming, who has taken advantage of the offered immunizations each of the four years she's been employed there. “It was life-threatening, and since then, I've wanted to get one each year.” Fleming said not only does she get one herself, but she takes her children to get them and encourages her husband to get immunized also. “Before I started working here, I was never educated about the flu shot,” she said. “I will definitely get the shot each year.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a good reason to have children vaccinated. During the 2003-04 season, there were 153 flu-associated deaths of children reported to the CDC. While the 2006-07 flu season was a bit milder, there were still 68 deaths of children reported. Gail Steele, a registered nurse who has been employed by Morris Hospital for the past 35 years, said it isn't just children who need to be vaccinated, but also, especially, those who are older, work in a healthcare setting, are around children, or have chronic health problems. “If you have a severely compromised immune system, you should ask your doctor before getting the shot, and if you are allergic to eggs,” she said. “Otherwise you should consider getting one.” Steele said she has been getting a flu shot for the past 20 or more years the hospital has offered it to its workers. The hospital's goal is to have more of the staff getting one; currently about 45 percent of the staff get the shot.

Debunking Myths Steele said there are many myths about flu shots, including that you can get sick from having one. “It is a killed virus vaccine,” she said. “It can't make you sick.” She said those who get sick after having the shot are either not suffering from influenza or, if they are, had contracted it prior to the shot. “It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to build up,” she said. “If you were in contact prior to the shot, you may still get it.” Another misconception is the flu shot is for what people refer to as the stomach flu. “The vaccine is for respiratory influenza,” Steele said. “It's a more-serious illness and can result in pneumonia and other complications, which can lead to death.”

Flu vs. Cold While the flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses they are caused by different viruses. Dr. Setrini, lab director at Morris Hospital, is a pathologist who said the way they determine if it is the flu versus a cold is by taking a swab of the patient's mouth and examining it. According to the CDC, it is very difficult to tell the difference between the two based on symptoms alone. Colds, however, are usually milder and are more likely to result in a runny or stuffy nose. Dr. Setrini said she has a been receiving a flu shot for at least 20 years, since starting at the hospital. “I believe it protects you,” she said. “I've never had the flu nor have I had a reaction since getting it.” Dr. Setrini said she believes in the shot so much she brings her entire family to get shots, including her 94-year-old aunt. “The benefits far outweigh any risk,” she said. “If you don't get it and get the flu, you could get pneumonia or die.”

Flu Season According to the CDC, the flu season runs from about October through May. The peak has been February 45 percent of the time, but the peak can happen any time during the season. The CDC also said flu was present in all 50 states with widespread flu activity present in 41 states. Each year the World Health Organization tracks what strains of flu are present and where in an effort to predict which types will be most prevalent the following year. There are three types of influenza - A, B, and C. A and B present problems in humans and are the ones looked at for the vaccine. Each category has several strains. Each vaccine works for three strains of the virus that are predicted to be problem strains. Steele said it takes six months to make the vaccine, so the predictions are made at that time and the experts hope they chose the correct three.

Prevention Steele said the main thing people can do to prevent the transmission of flu is to wash their hands. “A sneeze doesn't travel far, but it can effectively travel on hands,” she said. “The wipes they offer for shopping carts are also a good thing.” She said when the virus is on the hand and the person rubs their eyes or nose, it is easily passed. While flu shots are not available directly through Morris Hospital, it does offer the shots occasionally at some of its locations and those dates will be announced in the newspaper. The Grundy County Health Department will offer flu and pneumonia immunizations at three upcoming Flu Clinics in the coming weeks. Flu shots will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 17, and Wednesday Sept. 24, to adults 19 years and older at the Grundy County Administration Center, 1320 Union St., Morris . The health department will be at the First Baptist Church, 4470 E. Illinois 113, Coal City, from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1. Flu immunizations are $30 and pneumonia immunizations are $50. Both immunizations are free with a Medicare or Medicaid cards. Cards must be presented at the time of the immunizations.

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