AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > The Flu: Prevention of The Flu

The Flu

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Flu, Influenza A, Influenza B, Influenza C


     See all Pictures & Images
The Flu Prevention

A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for those people in the high-risk categories. The vaccine is also recommended for people who work with (or live with) others at high risk.

People at high risk include:

  • People over 50 years of age
  • Children aged 6 to 23 months
  • Women more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season
  • Anyone living in a long-term care facility or institution
  • Anyone with chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions, diabetes, or weakened immune system

Anyone can get the flu shot if they want to lower their chances of getting the flu, as long as they:

  • Are over 6 months old
  • Don't have a serious allergy to eggs
  • Haven't had a serious reaction to flu shots in the past

Some people, particularly those at high risk, who have been exposed to influenza may benefit from antiviral medication and vaccination.

The FluMist nasal spray is an alternative for healthy, non-pregnant people age 5 to 49 who want to be protected. Unlike the regular vaccine, it is a live virus. Therefore, it is best if the person receiving it does not have close contact with people who have a weakened immune system. Common side effects in children include runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches and fever. Adults often have runny nose, sore throats and cough, but no vomiting or fever. It reduces the chances of getting the flu by 92 percent, resulting in fewer missed days of work or school, and fewer visits to the doctor.



Today's Top News Stories

Falls Are Top Cause of Injury, Death Among Elderly - Jul 19, 2008, 09:00
Not all homes are the same, but common sense measures can reduce the risk, expert says.

Heart Blood Vessels Grown in the Lab - Jul 18, 2008, 19:00
Could offer a future alternative to bypass surgery, researchers say.

Clinical Trials Update: July 18, 2008 - Jul 18, 2008, 09:24

Loud Music in Bars Hastens Drinking - Jul 18, 2008, 16:00
French researchers say blasting tunes makes patrons down more alcohol in less time.

Breast-Fed Babies Have Fewer GI Infections - Jul 18, 2008, 17:00
But they're more likely to be iron-deficient, study finds.


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
The Flu Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The Flu Symptoms & Signs
The Flu Prevention
The Flu Diagnosis & Tests
The Flu Treatment
The Flu Prognosis
The Flu Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Encephalitis
Pneumonia

Tests & Exams

CBC
Chest X-Ray

Other Topics

Breathing Difficulty
Cough
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Malaise
Muscle Aches
Nasal Congestion
Sore Throat
Sweating - Excessive

Review Date : 12/12/2003
Reviewed By : Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Stanford School of Medicine; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Main Page of The Flu






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 19 Jul, 2008