DGMC gears up for two flu seasons

  • Published
  • By Jim Spellman
  • 60th MEDICAL GROUP
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  David Grant USAF Medical Center's Immunization clinic is ramping up to prepare Team Travis for what promises to be a double whammy during the 2009-2010 flu season. Two types of flu -- the usual seasonal influenza, and the novel H1N1, also known as swine flu, are currently in circulation. Each will entail their own vaccines targeted to different sets of high-risk groups. 

Administration of the seasonal nasal flu vaccine began Sept. 22 in DGMC's Immunization clinic with primary focus on all active-duty personnel. Team Travis' goal is to have all military personnel vaccinated by Nov. 1. 

The first mass seasonal flu vaccination clinic focused on active duty personnel began Sept. 29 and will continue through tomorrow at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The objective is to vaccinate as many Airmen during this mass flu clinic with increased flexibility due to the extended hours, thereby expediting immunization medical readiness in preparing all Airmen for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection. 

A second mass flu vaccination session focused on all TRICARE-enrolled customers and Department of Defense employees will be held at the AFRC Nov. 2 to 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

For family members and children, three separate Wednesday sessions at the Youth Center will take place Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. A weekend vaccination clinic for retirees and any remaining members of the Travis population is scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15 at the Mini Mall and Main Base Exchange respectively. Vaccination hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Most active-duty members will receive the nasal flu vaccine per Air Force Influenza policy -- unless a medical contraindication exists. The injectable vaccines are reserved for pediatric and medically high-risk patients. 

There will be a separate vaccination required for active-duty personnel for the prevention of the H1N1 flu. At present, Travis has not received any shipments of the H1N1 vaccine. The Immunization staff expects to receive the H1N1 vaccine by mid-November. 

Although most recent news coverage on influenza has focused on the novel H1N1 flu, it's important to remember that seasonal flu should not be ignored. 

"Seasonal influenza is not the same as H1N1 influenza," said 1st Lt. Rosemary Griffin, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's officer in charge of Community Health. "Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a variety of influenza viruses that occurs every winter throughout the United States. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death." 

According to Lieutenant Griffin, the best way to prevent or minimize the impact of seasonal flu is by getting your flu vaccination each year. 

"This fall there will be a vaccination available for the seasonal flu in addition to the H1N1 flu. Both flu vaccinations will be available through DGMC and will be mandatory for military members," explained Lieutenant Griffin. "Yearly seasonal flu vaccinations have already begun and will continue throughout the influenza season, usually ending in April." 

Lieutenant Griffin added that certain people need to get vaccinated each year because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high- risk persons. People in these groups include:

· Children aged six months up to their 19th birthday
· Pregnant women
· People 50 years of age and older
· People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
· People who live in nursing homes/ long-term care facilities
· People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including such as health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than six months of age

The flu is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. 

"Most adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days," said Lieutenant Griffin. "Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick." 

Lieutenant Griffin also stressed some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others, so people should take everyday preventive actions to prevent spreading the flu even if you don't feel ill.

Tips on how to prevent the spread of flu

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and clean commonly touched objects such as door knobs and phones often.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

"If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you avoid further social contact and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to seek medical care," said Lieutenant Griffin. "Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. However, it's best to keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick."

If you get the flu:

· Stay home from work or school.
· Get lots of rest
· Drink plenty of liquids
· Avoid using alcohol and tobacco

There are over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu. However, never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. Consult your doctor early on for the best treatment, but also be aware of these warning signs that require urgent medical attention:

In children:

· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
· Fever with a rash

In adults:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting

The majority of people will recover from the flu without any complications. For more information, visit www.vaccines.mil, www.dod.mil.pandemicflu, or the Military Health System's media room at www.health.mil/MediaRoom/Default.aspx?ID=630 for the latest medical advice.