A Shot In The Arm : Minimizing The Risk of Flu Epidemic
Influenza season is coming and that means plenty of people will be rolling up their sleeves. A total of 880,000 flu vaccine doses--including 165,000 earmarked for Los Angeles County--will be injected into the arms of residents of California this year under a state program.
There are three main types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. The highly unstable Type A can infect humans and other animals, such as swine. Types B and C seem to infect only humans.
A new vaccine is developed at the end of the each influenza season through the tracking of previous outbreaks. Making its debut this season is a vaccine that targets three influenza strains: A-Texas, A-Shangdong and B-Panama.
Doctors reccommend that people whose health could be seriously endangered by influenza get get annual vaccinations.
“If you’re over 65 and have any substantial illness, it’s good inexpensive insurance,” said Dr. Steven Kamajian, an osteopath who practices in Glendale and Montrose.
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Symptoms and Treatments
Influenza
Chills
Fever
Headache
Aches and pains
Weakness
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Common Cold
Stuffy nose Sore throat
Fever
Aches and pains
Chills
Loss of appetite
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Influenza
Bed rest in a warm, well-ventilated room for those with a fever. Analgesics for aches and pain and to reduce fever. Antibiotics and other drugs for the secondary infections that are responsible for most of the deaths associated with influenza.
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Common Cold
No cure available, but analgesics, decongestants, nasal sprays and vaporizers may relieve discomfort. Those with fever should stay in bed to rest and avoid infecting others. Eat nourishing foods, drink plenty of water. Doctors can prescribe antibiotics to control bacterial complications.
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An ounce of prevention...
Vaccines containing killed strains of virus are available but are believed to have only a 60% to 70% success rate in preventing infection. Flu shots must be gotten annually-just before the onset of the flu season-if they are to have a chance at being effective. Doctors recommend that senior citizens, diabetics and those with chronic pulmonary, heart or kidney diseases be vaccinated. Healthy adults may also want to get injected, but should check first with their doctors.
The vaccination should be administered by mid-December.
Here’s some of the free flu shot clinics where injections are being offered on a first come, first served basis. Although the clinics are set up primarily for seniors, some will take others who are at risk of developing serious influenza complications.
Oct. 22: 8 to 10 a.m., Glendale Memorial Hospital, Central Avenue and Los Feliz Boulevard, Glendale. A drive-through clinic for people 55 and over. Information: (818) 502-2396.
Oct. 24: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Granada Hills Community Hospital, 10445 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 360-1021.
Oct. 27: 10 a.m. to noon, Westlake Medical Center, 4415 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 706-8000.
Oct. 31: 9 to 11 a.m., Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 953-9594.
Nov. 2: 1 to 3 p.m., Northridge Hospital Medical Center, 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Serving 60 people and over. Information: (818) 885-8500.
Nov. 4: 7 to 10 a.m., Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 952-2227.
Nov. 5: 7. to 10 a.m., Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, 18321 Clark St., Tarzana. A drive-through and walk-in clinic for people 60 and over. Information: (800) 777-5600.
Nov. 7: 9 to 11 a.m., Valley Storefront, Jewish Family Service, 12821 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 984-0276.
Nov. 7: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Valley Hospital Medical Hospital, 14500 Sherman Circle, Van Nuys. Serving people 60 and over. Information: (818) 908-8720.
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1992-93 deaths due to pneumonia and influenza The proportion of deaths due to pneumonia and influenza in Los Angeles County was below that of the United States for nearly the entire flu season of 1992-93. But in mid-February, the ratio in the county exceeded that of the entire country and the “epidemic threshold” established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sources: County of Los Angeles Health Department, The American Medical Assn. Encyclopedia of Medicine, The Wellness Encyclopedia, World Book.
