Fight the flu!

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Necessary prevention

“I never get the flu shot.” How many times have you heard that? Avoiding this crucial vaccination seems to be a point of pride for some people. It shouldn’t be a proud choice to leave yourself vulnerable to illness during a pandemic. This year, help yourself, your family, and the ailing healthcare systems across the nation. Join us and fight the flu!

Every year the flu does immense damage to the population, resulting in many hospitalizations. Over the years, the flu has become another obstacle we deal with, but we can’t take the risk this year. With beds filling rapidly, hospitals and clinics may not have the resources to stave off the flu effectively. Help them fight back and get the jab.

Do it for you too!

There are many reasons to get the flu shot aside from lending a hand to nurses, doctors and other medical staff. Here are our top three:

  1. Healthy holidays

Getting sick on Christmas or Thanksgiving is pretty crumby. We’ve all experienced that woeful Thanksgiving where the rest of the family enjoys a delicious dinner while you struggle to keep down warm soup. Do yourself a favor and don’t let the flu stifle your plans to enjoy the holidays.

  1. Preserve time off

Wouldn’t you like to enjoy a day off doing something you love? Having to use up all of your vacation days battling the flu is no fun. Don’t let the flu dictate your days off, miss work for something fun and fight the flu.

  1. Do it for the immunocompromised

Fight the flu! Don't let the flu stifle our COVID-19 treatments.Some people can’t get the vaccine due to medical complications and allergies. We can help them by reducing the amount of illness in the population. Remember them when offered the flu shot at your next appointment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released updated information regarding this year’s flu season. Visit their website for more details.

Upcoming flu shot clinics

Tri-County Health Care will be hosting several flu shot clinics during September and October. Clinics will be available in Wadena, Bertha, Henning, Ottertail and Sebeka.

Wadena              218-631-3510

Saturday              Oct. 2                   7-12 p.m.            all ages

Saturday              Oct. 16                 7-12 p.m.            all ages

Bertha                  218-924-2250

Wednesday         Sept. 29               7-4:15 p.m.        65+ day

Wednesday         Oct. 13                 7-4:15 p.m.         all ages

Henning              218-583-2953

Wednesday         Oct. 20                 8-4:15 p.m.         all ages

Ottertail               218-367-6262

Tuesday               Oct. 26                 8-4:15 p.m.         all ages

Sebeka                 218-837-5333

Wednesday         Oct. 6                   8-4:15 p.m.         all ages

Tri-County Health Care offers a significant discount for individuals paying at the time of the flu shot clinic. Medicare Advantage Plans, Humana, Medicare, Medicaid and many other commercial insurances are accepted. Please confirm with your insurance company before the clinic. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, but walk-in appointments are available.

Flu Season is Back

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As temperatures grow colder, the flu season is raging back. Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and battling the influenza season will place an excessive strain on the health care industry. That is why medical professionals urge everyone to receive their flu shot this year.

Sebeka Clinic fights the flu

On Oct. 13, Janice Hiedeman went to the Sebeka Clinic to get her flu shot. She used this opportunity to safeguard her health while indirectly helping others. From the start, she experienced an environment where her health was a top priority. That is because the Sebeka Clinic, like all Tri-County Health Care locations, has employed measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 All patients entered through the front and exited through the back to prevent face to face contact. Signage organized patients and staff within the building. The message of social distancing was always evident.

“I really liked that everyone was very professional and friendly,” said Janice when asked about her appointment. The pandemic has made receiving care a lot different, but many of the new changes made Janice’s appointment easy and anxiety-free.

Janice was impressed with the speed of the process. Within 10 minutes, she was admitted, received her shot and was on her way. Janice doesn’t care for waiting in the lobby so she was relieved. She commented that receiving the shot was painless.

On the day Janice visited the Sebeka Clinic, 150 people got their flu shot.

Getting a flu shot is important

Everyone 6 months or older should receive a flu shot. Compromised individuals and adults over 65 are at an even higher risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 39 million people were affected by the flu from Oct. 1, 2019, through Apr. 4, 2020. A flu vaccine will help reduce the burden on our health care systems. The illness reduction allows health care staff to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic more efficiently.

To schedule your flu shot, please call 218-631-3510.

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Flu Shots Are More Important This Year

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This year presents a new challenge for health care workers and public health officials – taking on two respiratory illnesses at once. With COVID-19 still circulating and the influenza season upon us, receiving flu shots are even more important this year.

Despite the unique challenge, Tri-County Health Care is prepared. Part of that is encouraging people of all ages to receive their flu vaccination this year.

“If there was ever a year to get your flu vaccine, this is the year to get it,” said Ben Hess, M.D. and Tri-County Health Care Chief Medical Officer. “It will be important to get it now, so it’s easier for your provider to sort through what kind of illness you may have.”

If a patient presents with symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness but has received a flu shot, a provider will be more suspicious that it is COVID-19.

Tri-County Health Care flu shot covid-19 influenza prevention wadena henning bertha ottertail sebeka verndale Flu Shots Important This Year

Helping Prepare the Community

There have already been positive cases for influenza in the area. That is why Tri-County Health Care has taken steps to encourage and assist community members in getting their flu shot this year.

Patients can receive their vaccine at primary and specialty care appointments. Tri-County Health Care has also scheduled flu shot clinics throughout its service area. These options offer patients a convenient way to receive their flu shot.

Upcoming dates and locations for flu shot clinics include:

  • Sebeka Clinic: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (106 Minnesota Ave., Sebeka, MN 56477)
  • Henning Clinic: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (401 Douglas Ave., Henning, MN 56551)
  • Bertha Clinic: Thursday, Oct. 15, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (214 1st St NW, Bertha, MN 56437)
  • Wadena Clinic:
    • Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. (4 Deerwood Ave. NW, Wadena, MN 56482)
    • Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. (4 Deerwood Ave. NW, Wadena, MN 56482)
  • Ottertail Clinic: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (232 Minnesota Highway 78 North, Ottertail, MN 56571)

Masking, screening and social distancing will take place at each event.

The Importance of Flu Shots

Everyone 6 months and older should receive immunization every flu season. For people who are at high risk of serious complications and adults 65 years and older, the flu shot is more important than ever this year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 39 million people were affected by flu-related illnesses from Oct. 1, 2019, through Apr. 4, 2020. More people receiving this vaccination leads to increased protection throughout the community. A flu vaccine this season will also help reduce the burden on our health care systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for the care of those patients.

In addition to receiving the annual flu shot, it’s important to continue taking steps to reduce the spread of both respiratory illnesses. Mitigation strategies include washing your hands often, social distancing and wearing a face mask.

“Anything we can do to lessen both of those illnesses is important for the community,” said Dr. Hess. “It’s something we should all be striving for.”

Tri-County Health Care flu shot covid-19 influenza prevention wadena henning bertha ottertail sebeka verndale Flu Shots Important This Year

 

Flu vs. flu: what kind do I have?

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By Alison Meyer, APRN, CNP

 

Right now in Minnesota, the flu season has reached peak numbers, including hospitalizations and deaths. As a result, there have been concerns raised about the flu vaccine and its effectiveness.

One of the common misconceptions I have heard is that the vaccine is given to prevent the stomach flu (gastroenteritis). This is not true as it is only used for preventing influenza.

What’s the difference, you might ask? Despite both being called the flu, influenza and the stomach flu are different viruses.Doctor holding a card with Flu Season., medical concept

The stomach flu is just as its name suggests, an illness that infects your stomach and intestines. Influenza is a respiratory illness. While complications can happen with the stomach flu, influenza is much more likely to cause serious side effects.

Certain symptoms may overlap, but for the most part, they have defining features.

 

You might have the stomach flu if:

  • You experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea or low fever
  • Symptoms only last for a day or two

You might have influenza if:

  • You experience high fever, coughing, congestion, body aches or fatigue
  • Symptoms last one week or longer

I’ve also heard other concerns from community members related to influenza and the vaccine.

 

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

Although flu season has reached its peak in Minnesota, it’s not too late to get vaccinated, as the season could last for many more weeks. Take note, however, that the Sick boy with the flu with thermometer laying in bed and mother hand taking temperature. Mother checking temperature of her sick son who has thermometer in his mouth. vaccine takes a couple weeks to build up your immune system, so you are at risk of encountering an infected individual and catching the virus in that time.  Even so, by getting the vaccine now, you may be able to lessen symptoms and the risk of complications if you should become ill or prevent the virus altogether.

 

Will I get the flu from the vaccine?

Though you could experience mild side effects such as fever or pain at the injection site, you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. Click here to read a past Tri Living Well blog with more on this subject.

 

How effective is the vaccine?

The effectiveness of the vaccine changes every year because influenza itself constantly changes. Flu migration patterns across the world are extensively researched each year to estimate which strains of the virus will be most prevalent in the coming season. To ensure the vaccine is readily available before the flu season, it must be manufactured well in advance, which leaves room for the virus to mutate. For this reason, there is a potential for a bad match.

So far this season, the CDC reports that the vaccine is 36 perfect effective at preventing influenza, as noted in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Though this number might seem low, reports by the CDC show that vaccine effectiveness can vary between 40 and 60 percent in seasons where there is a good vaccine/virus match.Young man suffering from the flu with cold and coughing.

There is still enough evidence this season to suggest getting the flu vaccine can be beneficial. Not only are there minimal risks, but any protection is better than no protection at all.

 

CDC Statistics for the 2017-2018 season:

  • Total hospitalizations in Minnesota as of Feb. 10 are 4,271 compared to 3,738 in the 2016-2017 season.
  • A total of 84 pediatric deaths were reported as of Feb. 10. Among those, only 26 percent of children who were eligible for the vaccine received it.
  • A new study found that vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated death by 65 percent among healthy children.
  • The median age of those hospitalized in Minnesota is 74.

 

About the Author: Alison Meyer is an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner at TCHC’s Bertha Clinic. She takes a special interest in pediatrics, women’s health, and health promotion and disease prevention. Alison and her husband, Jeremy, reside in Hewitt and have two children, Elsie and Harrison.

Flu Season is Near: Why You Should Get a Flu Shot Today

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By: Amy Severson, FNP, APRN

Have you gotten your flu shot for this upcoming winter season? Influenza, otherwise commonly known as the flu, is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

flushot1The Center of Disease Control (CDC) states:

  • Between 1976 and 2007, flu-associated deaths ranged from 3,000 – 49,000 people.
  • In recent years, 80 – 90% of flu-related deaths occurred in people 65 years and older.
  • Flu vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone starting at 6 months of age.
  • If an expectant mom gets a flu shot during pregnancy, the vaccine also helps protect her baby during its first six months of life.

Flu activity typically begins in the fall months and peaks in January and February, though depending on the season, it can last until May. The CDC recommends getting an annual seasonal flu vaccine to best prevent getting the flu, and not spread it to others. The more people get covered, the less flu we will see in our communities.

A lot of patients ask me, “When is the best time to get a flu shot?”

Since it can take one to two weeks for the flu vaccine to become effective, it’s best to get vaccinated in the month of October if possible. Though Federal Health Officials say it’s better to get a shot anytime, then skip the vaccine altogether.  For the 2016-2017 season, CDC recommends getting a flu shot, and not the nasal spray flu vaccine. Unfortunately, CDC studies found in the past few years, FluMist hasn’t protected against certain influenza strains as well as the flu shot. For this reason, FluMist will not be available this season until more studies are conducted to figure out the reason why this is.

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Why bother with getting a flu shot?

The Center for Disease Control states that a flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 50 – 60% when given at the optimal time. So do yourself and your neighbor a favor, and get a flu shot this fall!

Upcoming Area 2016 Flu Shot Clinics:

Tri-County Health Care will be hosting a Flu Shot Clinic at each one of our clinics in the month of October. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Refreshments will be served.

Ottertail: October 14 – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 218-367-6262

Wadena: October 18 – 7 – 8:30 a.m. 218-631-1100

Henning: October 19 – 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. 218-583-2953

Verndale: October 24 – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 218-445-5990

Sebeka: October 26 – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 218-837-5333

Wadena: October 27 – 5:30 – 7 p.m. 218-631-1100

Bertha: October 28 – 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 218-924-2250

To get more information about these upcoming clinics click here.

 

Amy Severson, APRN, CNP

Amy Severson, APRN, CNP

 

About the Author: Amy has worked for TCHC for the past 14 years, the last nine years at the Henning Medical Clinic.  She feels privileged to work in the town she was raised in, and take care of families she’s known her whole life. She lives with her husband Eric on East Battle Lake with their three children; Ethan, age 14, Emma, age 12, and Elliot, age 8.  In her time away from the clinic, you’ll find her at Ottertail Central football games and supporting the Henning Hornets in volleyball and basketball.  She also is the head of the youth group at her church.

 

 

 

 


The information and opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the author, and are not designed to constitute advice or recommendations as to any disease, ailment or physical condition. You should not act or rely solely upon any information contained in these articles without seeking the advice of your personal physician.