How To Avoid Getting Sick with the Flu

Cartersville Medical Center offers advice on how to avoid the influenza virus, as flu season spikes to "Intense" as across the country.

Caused by the influenza virus, the flu spreads around the world each winter, but the strains are usually different from one year to the next, according to Cartersville Medical Center's online health library. Although this year's vaccine is only about 60 percent effective, the shot is still the best way to prevent the flu, experts say. In about two weeks, the vaccine will kick in and protect you against the virus, which is spread through the air and by touch. Someone infected with the virus may sneeze or cough, releasing droplets into the air, and if another breathes in those droplets, he or she could become infected. Touching a contaminated surface also could transfer the virus from your hand to your mouth or nose. Things anyone can do to …

• Photos (1)

Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Peachtree Corners readers here are the answers to some popular myths.

The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Flu Patients Continue to Fill Doctors' Offices

An area physician said 15 to 20 percent of his day is spent with flu patients.

This flu season is different than previous years because of the sheer volume of people who are getting sick. Dr. Richard Ellin, who works at Kaiser Permanente, said in the past two or three years, he'd see the occasional flu patient, maybe one or two a week. "This year, we are seeing anywhere from three to six a day and that's just me," Dr. Ellin said. "Fifteen to twenty percent of my day is the flu or complications from the flu. "Another thing is, we are seeing many more people who have got the flu shot who have gotten the flu," he said. "It's prevalent throughout metro Atlanta, and really throughout Georgia, and really pretty much throughout the whole country," he said. CDC Says the Flu Season Is Still Here Almost every state in the …

• Photos (1)

Nearly Four in 10 of Those Vaccinated Will Still Get the Flu if Exposed to the Virus

This year's vaccine has an overall effectiveness of 62 percent.

Darn, I Wish I'd Gotten the Flu Shot

Beware: this flu's no walk in the park.

What can I say? I've been busy. And, amidst work, the hustle and bustle of the holidays, winter break and the usual day-to-day preoccupations, I simply forgot to get my annual flu shot. Now I'm feeling the wrath of the microscopic-but-mighty bug that's now sweeping the nation. Widespread flu activity has been reported in 41 states including Georgia. And my household is no exception. It began with fatigue. I put it down to too much activity over the holidays and not enough rest. Soon the fatigue was accompanied by body aches, a runny nose and headaches. I knew I was in trouble when I awoke in the middle of the night with chills, a fever and nausea. By the following morning, those symptoms were accompanied by a sore throat and cough. Yep, I …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Seasonal Flu Picking Up Across Nation

Georgia is among 29 states and New York City now reporting high incidents of "influenza-like illness." Experts say everyone should get a flu vaccination.

CDC: Get Your Flu Shot Now

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot yet?

Have You Had a Flu Shot Yet?

Flu season typically begins in October and can run through May. Find out what you need to know to protect yourself and your family.

Have you had a flu shot yet? CVS with its newly opened MinuteClinic, Rite Aid, Publix, Kroger and Walgreens are just some of the local places where you can get a flu shot.  Are you guaranteed to get the flu if you don’t get vaccinated against it? Of course not—but here’s why getting a flu vaccine is probably worth your while. Influenza, or the "flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms include muscle or body aches, headaches, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death. Unfortunately, flu viruses can spread easily via infected people coughing…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Preparation is the best protection against flu this season

Local area locations for flu shot availability and who needs to get them.

It's just a couple of days before Christmas and a little more than a week from the 2011 New Year's celebration. Because of the recent flu outbreak, many people from Austell and Mableton are finding alternatives to their big holiday plans. "I had to order most of my gifts online this year," says 57-year-old grandmother of two, Cheryl Abbott. She's a Mableton resident who recently relocated from Florida to help her financially strapped daughter. "I got the flu over two weeks ago and still haven't been able to shake it. I never had the shots before but I never got sick in Florida," Abbott said. Abott is not alone, local clinics and doctor's offices have seen a spike in the number of cases within the past three weeks. Dr. Allen Nguyen of …

• Photos (1)