Flu Season 2014

Details: Created on Friday, 24 October 2014 13:56; Written by Nick Aresco

AROUND THE NEK- With flu season upon us, it's that time of year to think about getting your annual flu shot. At this time, the Centers fo Disease Control and Prevention report that flu activity is low across the state of Vermont.

Typically, the timing of the flu season can vary, but activity usually begins to increase in October.

Recieving the flu shot will help protect not only yourself from getting the flu but you can also protect a lot of other people. Statistics show that 60 percent of people can carry the flu and be asymptomatic, meaning you will not show any symptoms but you can still spread the virus. So far, the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury has seen around 550 people come in for their flu shot, which is about average for this time of year.

Of course, with Ebola being the big talk right now, some are concerned that they won't be able to tell the difference between the two viruses. Jim Coulson, an employee at NVRH, who is an Infection Preventionist, thinks there are a lot of misperceptions about the two. "Many of the symptoms of Ebola are very similar to the symptoms of influenza." Coulson says. "However, you will be able to tell the difference between the two.

Many of the similar symptoms include a fever, headache, sore throat, and pain in the joints. Coulson stresses that the public shouldn't be worried about catching Ebola and he is not concerned about that virus coming up this way any time soon.

But it begs the question, what if the deadly disease of Ebola were to make it's way up to our region? Would NVRH be ready? The hospital has had a team working on potential plans for three weeks now, and the answer is pretty simple. The hospital will not keep patients with a confirmed case of Ebola in the hosptial department. Instead, they will quarantined in the emergency department. The hospital will then reach out to the Department of Health for further guidance.

For the time being, NVRH encourages everyone to get their flu shot by November 1st. If you get the shot after that, the vaccine may not work to its full potential. If you are wondering where you can go to get the vaccine, many local pharamies are giving the flu shot for free. Rite Aid, in Lyndonville is seeing a steady flow of customers come in.

For more information on the flu and where you can recieve the vaccine, you can visit http://www.cvs.com/immunizations/flu.