ColumbiaCare

The cold, dry days of winter are not just annoying; they can be dangerous, as well. Read on to protect yourself from the cold.

According to the American Red Cross website, it does not have to be below freezing outside for hypothermia to occur. The American Red Cross website provides tips for cold weather safety:

• If outside: avoid being out in cold weather for a long time and dress appropriately
• If clothing is wet, replace with dry clothing
• Try to stay hydrated
• Dress in layers and wear a hat because heat can escape through the head
• When traveling, monitor the weather and try to allow extra time for traveling in case you get caught in bad weather
• Have a survival kit available that includes: food, blankets, and a first-aid kit

The American Red Cross website also mentions the signs of hypothermia, which include:

• severe shivering
• exhaustion
• confusion
• dizziness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website has information on staying safe in your home during periods of cold weather:

• Have alternative ways of heating your home, such as kerosene lamps or firewood for fireplaces
• Safely heat your home. The website lists how.
  
• Have supplies available for an emergency, such as: food, water, medicine, fire extinguisher, radio, watch, matches, blankets, batteries, can opener, first-aid, flashlight, and shovel

Sources: www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/coldweather.html; www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp

The Mayo Clinic’s website provides valuable information that can keep you healthy as you get ready for all those holiday parties. The site discusses the problems caused by infrequent hand washing and also offers suggestions. Read the advice on hand washing techniques and what kind of hand-sanitizer to use here.

The page also contains links to articles on E.coli and the most common illnesses that keep children out of school.

A press release was released this week to let the community know that National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that this week will be known as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This is to promote the flu vaccine and encourage the importance of containing the flu.

The vaccine is especially important for children because they are the highest risk group that is likely to get sick with the flu.

“According to the CDC, a vaccinated child has 70 to 90 percent less risk of having the flu than an unvaccianted child.”

Flu season is slowly starting, and by having National Influenza Week, the CDC wants to remind the community that it is not to late to get vaccinated.

The Columbia/Boone County Health Department will continue to offer the Flu Shot and FluMist on a walk-in basis. This will continue until they run out.

The cost of the flu vaccine is 20 dollars, cash or check. Medicaid and Medicare are also accepted.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the clinic at (573)-874-7453 or (573)-874-7356.

As we know, there is not a cure for the flu, but there are treatments to help decrease symptoms as well as prescriptions to help treat the virus as soon as it hits.

Pharmacist Bill Morrissey at Kilgore’s Pharmacy in Columbia has not filled many prescriptions for the flu this year, but says the season is just coming. In past years Morrissey has mostly filled prescriptions for Tamiflu, which is given to children and adults one year and older.

“The standard adult treatment cost is 85 dollars without insurance,” Morrissey said. “Tamiflu is available in pill and liquid form.”

According to the Tamiflu website the dosage varies based on flu prevention or flu treatment. If prescribed for flu prevention, the dosage is one dose, once daily, for 10 days. For flu treatment, the dosage is one dose, twice daily, for five days.

“Time is of the essence,” Morrissey said.

Tamiflu must be taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first symptom appearance according to the Tamiflu website.

For other treatment to help break the fever or numb body aches and pains, Morrissey suggests Tylenol and Ibuprofen to help you feel better.

Most people are aware of the flu shot and its potential to prevent becoming infected with the flu virus, but the idea of needles does not appeal to everyone. Some people avoid getting the flu shot in an attempt to avoid their fear of needles. If you, or someone you know, falls into this category, there is another option. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is one such alternative. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website it is “a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu”.

If you are a healthy person, not pregnant, and aged 2 to 49 years old, then you are eligible for the nasal-spray flu vaccine, according to the CDC’s website.

According to the CDC’s Website, if any of the following apply, then you should not get the nasal-spray flu vaccine:

• history of wheezing in children (under the age of five)
• those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs
• history of Guillain-Barre syndrome
• if you were previously infected with the flu and had severe reactions
• a medical condition with a high risk for complications
• if you are pregnant

And according to the CDC’s Website, side effects of the nasal-spray flu vaccine include muscle aches, fever, runny nose, headache, cough and a sore throat. The CDC’s Website also mentions that you can get the nasal-spray flu vaccine this year even if you got the flu shot last year.