By Cari Rioux Carson City Health and Human Services
Friday, October 1, 2021
The first week of October marks the official start of flu season in the United States. Beginning in October and lasting through May, flu season is the period when flu germs are most likely to be around and to make people sick.
Each fall the flu returns to our community and brings with it the fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, muscle aches and fatigue that many of us dread. The symptoms can be mild and last only a few days or they can be severe and hang around for weeks. For those with other health conditions, like asthma or diabetes, the flu can make those illnesses worse. Even in otherwise healthy people, flu can lead to complications like ear infections, pneumonia, and even death.
Luckily, you can protect yourself and your family from the flu by coming to any of our Carson City Community Flu events this year to get your flu shot. Carson City Health and Human Services staff will be on site to administer flu vaccinations. CCHHS can bill Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances for your convenience, so please bring your insurance card if you have one. If you do not have insurance, we request $20 to cover costs, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay.
COVID-19 and the seasonal flu are different viruses. This means that a seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you from COVID-19. This year, more than ever, receiving a flu vaccination is crucial to build community immunity against the flu. Each year hospitals are overwhelmed with patients that have contracted the seasonal flu and require hospitalization. This year, COVID-19 has taken up much of the hospitals’ time and resources and will continue to do so during flu season. By getting your flu shot, you can protect yourself, as well as your community, from needing medical attention for the seasonal flu during the ongoing pandemic.
The CDC encourages everyone 6 months of age and older to get a flu shot each year. It is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu virus. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses and doctors’ visits. Flu vaccination can also decrease missed days of work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalization.
High risk groups include young children, pregnant women, those 65 years of age and older, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease as well as those who live with or care for the high-risk people listed can protect them by getting a flu shot.
You can help prevent the flu in our community by taking a few easy steps now and throughout the flu season.
• Get your flu vaccine: An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances of you getting the flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. Health officials recommend everyone over 6 months of age should be vaccinated, except people who are allergic to eggs, those with a previous severe reaction to flu vaccine, or people with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• Wash your hands: Handwashing prevents the spread of flu and other germs, like the common cold. Good hand hygiene can protect you against many types of germs. Use soap and water or hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean.
• Cover your cough: If you do find yourself coughing and sneezing, cough into your elbow to prevent spreading germs to those around you.
If you become ill, stay home to avoid making others sick.
There will be many vaccination events throughout the Quad County region of Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties beginning in the last week of September and continuing through the month of October. We will be doing vaccinations events in the community and at every school in each public school district; Storey County schools will be vaccinated through our community partner Nevada Health Centers.
For information on all these events, go to www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs. For anyone who is unable to attend one of the community flu vaccination events, the flu vaccine will also be available at Carson City Health and Human Services’ Immunization Clinic every Thursday between 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
Carson City Health and Human Services urges everyone to take an active role in preventing the flu this year. We need your help to keep our community healthy and to keep our healthcare system well.
