ASK
THE
Facts about the seasonal FLU SHOT Jacqueline L’Heureux - Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate Class of 2014 Paul Pagnotta – RPh Four Corners Pharmacy LLC
It’s that time of year again - the weather is starting to cool down and everyone is talking about getting their flu shot. Here are our most commonly asked questions. Why should I get the flu shot? Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious virus that spreads throughout the United States between October and May. It can be spread by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections so the flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu and prevent its spreading. How are the strains for the flu shot chosen? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decide which viruses will be included in the vaccine. Each year the viruses chosen to be included in the vaccine are updated. There are influenza centers that conduct surveillance for the flu and study its trends. The viruses are chosen based on which strains are spreading and how well the current vaccine is protecting against new strains. What are the different types of flu shots? The flu shot normally covers three different flu viruses and is called a trivalent vaccine. The trivalent covers two influenza A viruses and one influenza B. There are a few variations of this vaccine. • Standard dose that is grown in eggs and approved for ages greater than 6 months • Standard dose that is grown in cell culture and approved for ages 18 years and older • Standard dose that is egg-free and approved for ages 18-49 years • High-dose that is approved for 65 years and older There is also a vaccine that covers four flu viruses, called quadrivalent. This vaccine covers two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. There are a couple variations of this vaccine. • Standard dose shot • Standard dose given as a nasal spray: approved for healthy people ages 2-49 not at risk for flu-related complications The CDC does not recommend one vaccine over the other as long as you are getting vaccinated. Is the stomach flu the same as the seasonal flu? The stomach flu is a viral illness associated with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, whereas the seasonal flu has symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose. The flu shot only covers the seasonal flu virus. 40
Who should get the flu shot? Everyone who is above 6 months of age should get the flu shot. Although everyone should get the flu shot, it is especially important for pregnant women, children less than 5, people older than 65 year, and people with certain medical conditions including diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, and those who are high-risk for developing flu-related complications. Who should NOT get the flu shot? Talk to the person administering the vaccination if you have experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction after the flu shot, have an allergy to any part of the vaccine, or have an allergy to egg (most, but not all flu vaccines contain some egg). If you have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), discuss the flu shot with your doctor. Lastly, if you are not feeling well, wait until you feel better to get the flu shot. Will I get some flu symptoms after receiving the flu shot? The flu shot does not give you the flu. Some people may experience some soreness or discomfort at the injection site, but the soreness should resolve in 1-2 days. If you experience discomfort, ask you pharmacist for the best way to resolve the pain. Who is able to get vaccinated at your local pharmacy? In New York state people over 18 years of age may receive the flu vaccine at their local pharmacy, although at many pharmacies the patient must be 19 years of age or older. How long is the flu shot good for? The flu shot will keep you protected for one flu season, therefore you need it each year. Will my insurance cover the flu shot? Most major insurance companies cover the cost of the flu shot. Check with your insurance company or ask your pharmacist today if your flu shot will be covered. What else should I do to help prevent getting the flu? Take steps to prevent the spread of germs. Avoid close contact with sick people, cover you nose/mouth when you sneeze or cough, wash hands with soap and water, and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 September 2013. Web. 20 October 2013. Vaccines. Vaccines, 16 October 2013. Web. 20 October 2013.
To submit a topic for this publication please email your ideas to: Paul@4CRx.com
Trish’s Pix Tattered Pages Used Books
Dear Fellow Readers, ,
“525,600 minutes…how do you measure
a year in the life? In daylights, in sunsets, midnights, in cups of coffee…in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. 526,500 minutes; how do you measure a year in the life?” lyrics from the theme song for the musical, “Rent”. I am reflecting over this past year from the point of the miracle that happened on 10/23/12…the birth of my youngest granddaughter, Raven Marie! Last night we celebrated her first birthday with family, food, cake, song, laughter, hugs & happy tears. A year passes so quickly. Since the time when I was a young teacher I have felt a difference in the passage of the 180 days that a school year contained. The pace seemed to change from that of a gentle, lazy river to that of white rapids coursing towards a waterfall! Why as I age do the years seem to pass so much more quickly? As I reflect back upon the years, I recall most fondly those experiences that I had with my 5th & 6th grade students while reading. The conversations, the journaling, watching their faces as I revealed with excitement the next chapter, awaiting their responses, their laughter, their silence & often upon completion of the final sentence, their applause! I came to think of many of those novels as integral parts of that school year. Some of those titles were “Maniac Magee”, “The Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe”, “Tuck Everlasting”, “Danny, Champion of the World”, “Missing May”, “Sarah, Plain and Tall”, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. The characters took on new life each year by the discussions & responses of the students. I learned so much more about my students by their reaction to the reading experience. I looked to their faces looking up to me & hanging on every word. When their eyes darted around, or they fidgeted about, I knew that I was “losing” them. I would shut the book without explanation & the usual reaction was a collective “aw….” or “please Mrs. E just 5 minutes more”. I still hear today from many of those students thru Facebook! I have always strongly believed that for a child to become a life-long reader, an example must be set. That example can be set by parent, teacher, sibling, friends, or family. Bringing the gift of reading to a child opens doors for them. It assists in expanding the imagination, in developing critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, it helps the child create strategies for communication, writing, vocabulary & definition. As a child spends time reading they form an intimate relationship with the written word. Reading builds a foundation for the child that they will utilize in other core areas of learning, such as Social Studies, Science, Math & even Foreign Language. Most of the NYS tests depend upon your child‛s ability to read & respond. Starting your child with a strong foundation in reading is crucial to their future success in school. 44
Reading aloud to a child holds a special importance as well. It builds listening skills & attention & retention. As an elementary school Principal, I encouraged teachers to read aloud to their students, thru grade 8, for a minimum of 15 minutes a day. Our children learn at an early age to “tune out” when spoken to, to “multi-task” and spend too much time on electronic entertainment. It is very important that children are able to stay attentive, without distraction, and build that ability just like an athlete training for a marathon. Being able to stay attentive to a story is very important; attention to details, characters, plot, development, main idea, supporting facts help the child with prediction, planning, creating, all skills that strengthen the brain. Reading is also one of the most affordable means of entertainment available. Ever have a child tell you that they are bored? Those who read consistently, rarely say that they are bored! Shifting to adults…During November, Veteran‛s Day is November 11th, all books in our military section will be an additional 10% off the lowest ticketed price. Military author Tom Clancy recently passed away at the age of 66 having published 100 million copies of action/military/ adventure novels. All of his books are an additional 15% off the lowest ticketed price during the month of November. With November also, comes the beginning of the “gift shopping season”! Yes, I am partial, but books do make for exceptional gifts! Many of the books in my shop are new or next to new. I can order books for you if I do not have them in the shop. I will always do the best to find you the best bargain. I also sell gift certificates here in the shop, as well. Remember I also sell DVDs & some wonderful new educational toys for children. Though I love seeing you in the shop, you can always call or e-mail to see if I have a specific title that you might be looking for. I have always said, “You go to the box store for a new, specific title…you go to a used bookstore for the book to find you!” With over 19,000 titles to choose from, over 4,000 in our children/young adult section, we just might have what you are looking for! My hours for the Christmas/Holiday Shopping season will be the following, starting in November thru the end of the year. Monday 9:30-5:30, Tuesday 9:30-5:30, Wednesday 9:30-6:30, Thursday 9:30-6:30, Friday 9-7, Saturday 10-5 I may open for some Sundays in December, according to demand. You can always check my website, phone or Facebook page Tattered Pages, LLC for updates. Until next month…remember that books are still one of the most affordable gifts that you can give.
Trish Patricia Eldridge is the owner/manager of Tattered Pages New & Used Books located in the Glenmont Center Square at 365 Feura Bush Rd. Glenmont, NY 12077 #447-9910 www.tatteredpages365.webs.com & mytatteredpages@gmail.com