Rapid temperature changes and the exchange of germs make sickness vibrant this cold and flu season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Festive events bring people together at the height of the holiday season. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for the influenza virus to make an appearance as well.

There are many ways to protect yourself and others from catching seasonal viruses.

"Simply washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and preventing interaction with people while you or others are experiencing the symptoms of a cold or flu can prevent catching these illnesses," said Air Force Maj. Michelle Pinson, 673d Medical Operations Squadron chief of allergy and immunizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov, adults have an average of two to three colds per year, and children have even more. Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air, personal contact like shaking hands, or touching a doorknob with viruses on it and touching your mouth or nose afterwards.

For some, figuring out how to determine the differences between the common cold and the flu is difficult.

Cold symptoms usually include a sore throat and runny nose, followed by coughing and sneezing, which can last between seven and 10 days, according to www.cdc.gov.

Individuals who have the flu may experience fevers, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, tiredness, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.  Anyone at any age can get the flu, and serious complications can happen with this yearly disease, according to www.cdc.gov. Influenza is a contagious upper-respiratory illness, which can cause mild to severe ailment and can lead to death depending on the strength of the immune system.

Vaccines, either injection or nasal spray, are ways to prevent contracting the flu during the flu season.

"The shot is a killed virus and generally takes up to two weeks to develop antibodies," Pinson said. "When people receive the flu shot, they may experience redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site.

"Some may have a runny nose, congestion and headache with the flu mist vaccine," said Staff Sgt. Renee Benningfield, 673d MDOS allergy and immunization technician. "The flu mist contains a weakened live virus. "

This year on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, military members are required to receive the nasal spray. The shot is reserved for high-risk individuals, those unqualified for the spray, and dependents who may choose to have the injection rather than the spray.

"Healthy individuals from the ages of 2 to 49 years old can receive the flu mist or shot, but we save the injection for high-risk individuals that are unable to get the mist," Benningfield said.

A screening should be done prior to confirm eligibility; when individuals are allergic to eggs, they may still be able to receive the vaccine if an allergist evaluates them first, Benningfield said.

"Rarely are symptoms severe from receiving the vaccine," Benningfield said. "If anyone does experience a bad reaction, we advise them to go to the nearest hospital or emergency room for evaluation."

The immunization clinic is open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday for flu vaccines. Pediatric walk-ins are Monday through Wednesday and Fridays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:15 p.m. Vaccinations are open to any Tricare beneficiaries and some contractors and civilians on JBER.

For more information about colds, the flu or any other seasonal diseases, visit www.cdc.gov or the 673d MDG immunization clinic at 580-2002.