Every year, a shocking 5% to 20% of the American population contract the Influenza virus.
Even worse, more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized from flu-related complications. What can we do to avoid becoming a part of this rapidly growing statistic? Although Afluria isn’t guaranteed to “keep the doctor away” here are some results of its recent impact on society. The vaccine worked the best among children aged 6 months to 8 years, at 61%, and the least among individuals aged 18 to 49 years, at 19%. For people aged 65 years or older its effectiveness stood at 25%. Why did I choose Afluria? Looking at the list of my options; the name caught my eye as something that might be interesting to learn more about. After doing some research I found that Afluria is a vaccine that prevents against the flu. I thought that this was ironic since I need the flu shot to go on clinical rotations and not have to wear a mask the entire time. This research has proved to be very informative in my endeavors to learn more about preventing influenza and seeing if this vaccine might be an option for me. Therapeutically classified as a viral vaccine, Afluria is manufactured by Seqirus. Its pregnancy risk category is class C. This vaccine is inactive meaning that it is a virus that is not live. It’s brand names include: Afluria, Fluad, Fluarix, Flublok, Flucelvax, FluLaval Quadrivalent, Fluvirin, and Fluzone. Its generic name is influenza virus vaccine. This vaccine is used to prevent
Hi my name is Marah and today I am going to persuade you to get a Flu vaccination. I recently got a job working at Walgreens Pharmacy. Every day that I work I see people coming in to pick up their prescriptions that don’t look like the feel very great, with a tissue in one hand and their money in the other. No one wants to be sick, it’s not fun and it makes you feel like crap and you get absolutely nothing done. So it would only make sense if everyone was taking the precautionary measure in getting a flu shot. People should be lining up to get their vaccinations in order to prevent them from them getting sick and missing school, work or important events; but they aren’t, at Walgreens, we give maybe about 4 flu shots a day,
To get the flu vaccine or not to get the flu vaccine? This is a huge controversial question millions of Americans today ask themselves every year. There are many myths that come along with the topic of the flu vaccine that lead to people questioning the effectiveness of the medication. Safety for our families and loved ones is what we aim to achieve, but what are the pros and cons of this vaccine? What are the consequences and what are myths, but most importantly: what are the reasons we should get it in the first place? In this paper you will learn the many reasons for the flu vaccination and how it affects different populations beginning with children all the way to the elderly population. First of all, what is the flu
Have you ever been in pain to where you feel like your whole body is aching along with a headache? Then, oddly your body temperature changes. One minute your hot then the next you're cold. Some people even have scratchy throats and a mild cough. Well all of these are signs that you might be coming down with the flu. This harsh and dreadful symptoms can be prevented by simply getting an influenza vaccination. To promote people getting the vaccine the government makes several ads a year to raise awareness to encourage people to make the responsible decision by getting the vaccination.
Influenza is very contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Influenza causes worldwide yearly epidemics. According to World Health organization Influenza affects 5-15% world’s population and resulting in 500,000 deaths yearly. Ottenberg stated that, in United States, an average of 200,000 were hospitalized and 36,000 died each year from influenza complications. Influenza is the sixth leading cause of death among US adults and is related to 1 in 20 death in persons older than 65 years. Disease control and prevention estimates indicate that infections like H1N1 which is one of the types of influenza, have resulted in an estimated 42 to 86 million cases and 8520 to 17620 deaths. As I mentioned earlier that infections like
In recent years encouragement to get flu shots has become a yearly mantra. Elderly, children six months to two years, health care workers and immune-deficient people are urged in the strongest terms to go to their doctors or clinics and get a flu shot. This group encompasses about 98 million people. In the fall of 2004 this was in the forefront of American and to some extent the Western World media with the shortage of this flu seasons vaccine. Current medical wisdom states that flu shots are safe, effective and prevent mortality. A recent study published by The Journal of the American Medicine Association (JAMA) has brought the current wisdom into question. On February 14, 2005 JAMA
According to the CDC, the flu is “a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.” The flu causes a large number of hospitalizations and excess death per year, and there have been continuous debates over in the U.S. over the necessity of flu immunization and the financial burden of providing health services such as the flu vaccine. Every year vaccinations are made available, but are considered optional. However, a study conducted by Quian Gu, and Neraj Sood, observed the association between the dangers of the flu infection and the likelihood of getting immunized. The study concluded that those with socio-economic disadvantages and unhealthy lifestyles were less likely to get immunized, and by collecting scientific data nationally, the study found that flu immunizations were consistent with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) “High Priority” model of vaccination—those participating in the study who were labeled as a high priority for influenza vaccinations were more likely to receive them than others.
Influenza, an innocent little virus that annually comes and goes, has always been a part of people’s lives. Knowing this, one would not believe that it has caused not one, not two, but three pandemics and is on its way to causing a fourth! The Spanish flu of 1918, the Asian flu of 1957, and the Hong Kong
The last few days of summer are upon us, the leaves are beginning to change and it is once again fall in East Tennessee. While many are beginning to enjoy a relaxing break before the stresses of winter and the holidays, healthcare providers are bracing for the rush. The rush I speak of is that of doctor’s offices which are over run with those complaining of fevers, aches, and chills. Influenza season begins as early as August and can run as long as in to late March. Those affected by the virus can range from infants to the elderly, but most complications occur in those over 65, including death. According to the World Health Organization, the number of elderly persons is expected to increase from 600 million currently to over 2 billion worldwide by 2050. (WHO, 2015) Due to the rapid increase of this age group in the upcoming years, the need to prevent and establish treatment for illnesses that have the potential to be fatal in this population is a top priority. Greater risks of mortality in those over 65 who contract influenza can be attributed to several factors including: the elderly’s decline in immunity response, the inability of the elderly’s body to fully recover from infection, and finally, the long term complications of influenza among those who are already compromised.
Avian influenza is a disease that has been wreaking havoc on human populations since the 16th century. With the recent outbreak in 1997 of a new H5N1 avian flu subtype, the world has begun preparing for a pandemic by looking upon its past affects. In the 20th Century, the world witnessed three pandemics in the years of 1918, 1957, and 1968. In 1918 no vaccine, antibiotic, or clear recognition of the disease was known. Killing over 40 million in less than a year, the H1N1 strain ingrained a deep and lasting fear of the virus throughout the world. Though 1957 and 1968 brought on milder pandemics, they still killed an estimated 3 million people and presented a new
Each year in the United States, 3000–49,000 influenza associated deaths occur, with over 90% reported among older adults aged 65 years or older. Influenza also results in an estimated 226,000 hospitalizations, with hospitalization rates among older adults increasing over the past 2 decades (Nace et al., 2015). Influenza is a highly transmissible viral illness that may lead to severe complications from underlying diseases, primary viral or secondary bacterial pneumonia and death (NCBI, 2015). Immunization is one of the most powerful and cost effective interventions against
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses and it usually circulates in the United from late fall through early spring (Grohskopf et al., 2016). Influenza is spread through droplets in the air when an individual talks, coughs or sneezes and the best way to prevent the spread of influenza is through vaccination. Finally, the influenza vaccine is given in the early fall months, preferably before the end of October.
According to Healthy People 2020 a goal of theirs is to “increase immunization rates and reduce preventable infections.” The influenza virus is one of these preventable infections, which can cause serious harm to patients. The influenza virus is known as the “flu.” Everyone in his or her life has had some experience with the flu, whether that is himself or herself or a family member. What if there was a way to ensure people from contracting a strain of the influenza virus? Well, thanks to technology and medical research there is.
Influenza is not a big a deal as it was before, evolution dictates that we have outgrown this disease. Thus, the vaccine isn’t even worth to take anymore.
Relating to the Audience: As college students, we cross paths with hundreds of people every day. With winter coming up, and illnesses running rampant, we are all highly susceptible to catching diseases such as the flu. With vaccinations, we can prevent getting these illnesses.
The bird flu virus, also called avian influenza (flu), is a highly pathogenic type A virus which mainly infects the respiratory system in wild aquatic birds. This very contagious virus has also been known to sicken and kill domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and other animals including people. (CDC, n.d.). Unlike the seasonal winter flu, where there is usually some immunity from previous exposure, vaccine is readily available, and the public health system can meet patient needs, the virulence of the avian influenza type A virus and its ability to infect people of all ages with various degrees of health, causes many concerns. Any introduction of a new virus into the human population with little or no immunity against it could