DGMC battles busy flu season

  • Published
  • By 60th Medical Group
  • 60th Medical Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Another flu season is upon us and striking with a vengeance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an influenza illness alert and news reports across the nation have started covering the outbreak -- including the recent deaths in Sacramento and Stanislaus County attributed to the flu.

Physicians continue to urge the general public it's not too late to get vaccinated if you haven't already done so, in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. Contrary to some erroneous news reports, however, it is not necessary to get a second flu shot if you received this year's flu vaccine during the past five months.

The 60th Medical Group's allergy and immunization clinic at David Grant USAF Medical Center conducted a mandatory mass flu immunization for all active-duty personnel, high-risk patients and Department of Defense civilians last fall. It is part of DGMC's annual effort to minimize the impact of the flu virus on the Travis base population.

"The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a variety of influenza viruses that occurs every winter throughout the United States" said Lt. Col. Natalie Johns, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Flight commander. "It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can - and has - led to death."

According to Johns, three flu-related deaths were reported in Sacramento County with three more occurring in Stanislaus County.. As reported by the CDC this month, illness severity has ranged from mild to severe. The predominant strain circulating is pH1N1 - the same virus as the pandemic virus in 2009. Specifically, medical providers at DGMC have noted an increase of patients presenting with influenza-like illness as well as those being diagnosed with the flu in the last several weeks.

"The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall, ideally in the October or November timeframe," said Tech. Sgt. Summer Duke, 60th Medical Operations Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of DGMC's allergy and immunization clinic. "This year the flu vaccine is capable of preventing four strains of particular flu viruses which health care experts have predicted will be most common during the current season," Duke explained.

However, flu shots are good for one year only. According to Duke, they are made with inactivated or extinguished viruses and are recommended for anyone over six months old, with rare exceptions. This year's flu vaccine is still being offered to all TRICARE beneficiaries at DGMC's allergy and immunizations clinic.

"Even after receiving a flu shot, a patient is still vulnerable to influenza viruses for up to 2.5 weeks, while the body builds up a healthy resistance to the viruses," Duke said. "Mild reactions such as soreness, headaches and fever are common side effects of the flu vaccine in some people.

Johns also stressed how some individuals can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others, so take everyday preventive actions to prevent spreading the flu or other respiratory viruses, even if you don't feel ill:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm sleeve 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 such as fever, headache, body aches, sore throat and cough, the CDC recommends you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities," Johns said. "Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine before you go back to work."

Authority also exists for all base-wide supervisors to place their nonacutely ill members on 24-hour quarters without the member being seen by a military treatment facility.

According to Air Force Instruction 41-210, "TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Functions" paragraph 4.14.6 on page 136 states: "Unit Commanders and supervisors have the authority to grant up to 24 hours sick status at their discretion if a member's illness or injury does not require (Military Treatment Facility) intervention. If the illness or injury persists beyond 24 hours, then the Commander or supervisor must refer the member to the MTF for treatment and subsequent clinical examination."

"I think of it as the 'What would I do with my kid?' rule," said Col. (Dr.) Scott Vandehoef, 60th MDOS emergency services physician. "If my kid wakes up sick and I would keep them home for a day but not bring them to the doctor, then unit commanders and supervisors should also utilize the same decision-making process in taking care of their troops."

However, everyone should follow the safe practice of washing their hands frequently - usually to the length of time it takes you to sing the Happy Birthday song. This is especially required when touching surfaces where the virus may have been transmitted and where it may live on for a few hours.

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. If needed, consult your doctor for the best treatment but also be aware of these warning signs which 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 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 addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:

· Being unable to eat.

· Has trouble breathing.

· Has no tears when crying.

· Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal.
In adults:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.

· Sudden dizziness.

· Confusion.

· Severe or persistent vomiting.

· Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

The majority of people will recover from the flu without any complications. For more information, call DGMC's Public Health Flight at 423-3537.