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The Safest Way to Avoid the Flu

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (and probably your Mom when you were growing up) advocate simple health habits to prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough/sneeze; throw the used tissue away.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water as soon as possible after coughing or sneezing.
• Keep yourself and any babies and children in your care away from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth if you in close contact with people who are sick or have been sick.

Consider these suggestions, along with the above information regarding risks vs. benefits, before getting a flu shot this year, and of course, talk to your doctor for more information. After all, it's your health and the health of your children at stake.

Definitely Don’t Get a Flu Shot If...

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for circumstances under which you should not be vaccinated with the flu shot or nasal spray. According to the AAP, you/your child should not get vaccinated if any of the following applies (whether restriction applies to flu shot, nasal spray or both is noted in parentheses):

• Less than 6 months of age (flu shot); less than 5 or older than 49 (nasal spray)
• Moderate to severe febrile (fever) illness (both)
• History of Guillain-Barre’ syndrome (both)
• Hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, to eggs, to any influenza vaccine dose, or to any of its components (both)
• Asthma, reactive airway disease, or other chronic disorders of the lungs or cardiovascular systems (nasal spray)
• Have underlying medical conditions including metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, and hemoglobinopathies
• Received other live vaccines within the past four weeks (nasal spray)
• Known or suspected immunodeficiency disease, or receiving immunosuppressive therapies (nasal spray)
• Take aspirin (nasal spray)

Claudia Anrig, DC, practices in Fresno, Calif., and is on the board of directors of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, an organization that can answer your questions regarding the value of chiropractic care during and after pregnancy.