influenza

Flu – Not to be Taken Lightly – It’s NOT too late

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.
Flu vaccine CDC
Flu vaccine – it is not too late!

People are dying from the flu! Now, this week!

Do you get an annual flu vaccine?

If yes, does that mean you will not get the flu?

If you do not get a flu vaccine, why not?

Let’s review some common responses to these questions…and the truth based on evidence.

There are several varieties of flu vaccine available. A lot of research in recent years is responsible. Remember within the last 10 years when there was a shortage? Not everyone could even get the vaccine. Then, in 2009, a new strain called H1N1, or ‘swine flu’ emerged making many people very sick. Since all of that, these new options protect against H1N1. They cover more specific strains expected to be active this year. Some are now safe for people with egg allergies. Some are specific for people over age 65.

When you get the vaccine, it is NOT LIVE VIRUS that is injected. It is virus that has been grown then ‘killed’ before injection. Most are placed, via needle, in your upper arm muscle just below your shoulder (deltoid muscle). The injected substance then prompts your immune system to develop antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are the parts of your immune system that fight infections. The antibodies will be specific to the strains of virus in the vaccine.

Some flu vaccines cover three strains of flu while others cover four. The strains selected for the vaccine are the most dangerous. There are other milder strains of the flu not covered by the vaccine. So, you can still get the flu, but not the most deadly types.

The type of flu vaccine that is specific for people over age 65 is a bit stronger. In our 60’s and beyond our immune system often isn’t quite as active. So, the stronger vaccine will provide better protection.

There is also a live version of the flu strains that is given in the nose. This is an option for people who really, really hate needles. Note, people with cancer, compromised immune systems, and some other conditions cannot receive the live version. Please check with your doctor or person providing immunizations.

Who should NOT get the flu vaccine?

There are very few people in this category. For people with egg allergies, there is now a type of flu vaccine that does not contain egg. If you had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, be sure to talk with your doctor before deciding whether to get one. With several varieties of vaccine available, there might be a version that does not contain the substance to which you are allergic. If you have or have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome, talk with your doctor. There is not currently a vaccine approved for children under 6 months of age. Otherwise, you should be seeking your flu vaccine!

The people who are DYING from the flu usually get the flu then get pneumonia while they are sick. Flu deaths tend to occur most often later in the flu season (so now!). Those who die are usually over age 75 or they have other medical conditions involved. Then there are those who no one would have expected.

Don’t let the flu catch you by surprise. It is NOT TOO LATE to get your flu vaccine!

For more information about flu vaccines, contact us at www.medsmash.com.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

Flu vaccines can protect our physical health. What protects our spiritual health?

The armor of God is the first thing that comes to my mind.

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

And all through the Psalms you will find cries for protection and rejoicing for the protection offered!

Psalm 5:11 CEV

“Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs.

Provide shelter for those who truly love you and let them rejoice.”

Psalm 34:8 CEV

“Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind.

Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.”

Psalm 118:8 CEV

“It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else,”

I feel so assured when I read these verses! These are good ones to memorize or carry in your wallet for reference at frightening times.

Blessings,

Michelle

Image source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Flu or Cold – What do you take with high blood pressure?

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

‘Tis the season of flu, cough, and colds. I’ll be surprised if you don’t know someone with one of these right now. There are many products lining the shelves of the pharmacies and grocery stores ready to treat your symptoms.

If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition

Does it matter which product you choose to treat your symptoms if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, have had a heart attack, or you have some other heart condition? Actually, it does. Most of the products used to treat your cold or flu contain two main ingredients: decongestant and antihistamine.

Decongestants decrease the swelling of the lining of your nose. When these swell, you feel stuffy and have trouble breathing through your nose. Taking one while you have a cold or flu can help you breath better and relieve that stuffed-up feeling. Decongestants can be found in tablets, capsules, nasal sprays, nose drops, and liquids. They are often found in combination with other medicines for fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and mucous.

Decongestants work by increasing your sympathetic system. This is the part of your system that kicks in to gear when you are angry or afraid. It is called the ‘fight or flight’ response. It also causes your heart to beat harder and faster.   Your veins and arteries get tighter. Your blood pressure goes up.

If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, this is not helpful. It puts you at risk of worse heart disease or even heart attack or stroke.

Antihistamines block histamine. This helps to dry up a runny nose, tearing of your eyes, sneezing, and itching in your nose and eyes. They are helpful with these symptoms for allergies or for colds/flu. They come in tablets, capsules, liquid, eye drops, and nasal spray. Some of the antihistamines (first generation) cause you to be sleepy and slow your thinking. The newer, second generation versions have fewer of these side effects, but they can still make you sleepy. Be very careful if you must drive while taking these.

Antihistamines should also be taken with caution with people in high blood pressure or heart disease.

The cold and flu medicines on the market for people with high blood pressure leave out the decongestant. They have the antihistamine and usually acetaminophen for fever. So, still be careful using these if you have high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure while you are taking them. Let your doctor know what you are taking for your cold and flu.

So, if most of the cough and cold and flu medicines on the market are not good for your heart or blood pressure, what should you do?

What can you do without taking cold and flu medicines?

For your fever, take acetaminophen. Medicines like ibuprofen (brand names Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (brand name Aleve) can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease.

For your congestion, try a humidifier. Moist, warm or cool air can help break up the mucous and ease your swollen nasal passages.

Get plenty of rest so your body’s immune system can fight the virus. Drink plenty of fluid.

With or without a decongestant or antihistamine your cold or flu is likely to last about 5-7days.

Wash your hands, especially after being out in public. When you are in public or haven’t washed your hands recently, avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes). And finally, please get your flu shot each year!

For more information about managing a cold or the flu with high blood pressure, please contact us at www.medsmash.com.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

When you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, your treatment options for a cold or the flu are limited. To avoid letting your blood pressure get even higher, you need to carefully select a treatment that is best for you and your specific medical conditions.

Similarly, in your faith walk, what is best for you might not be best for someone else.

Paul mentioned this in at least two of his letters. After Christ came to reconcile us with God, the rules of the past changed. But, this was easier to accept for some people than for others. In particular, new believers found this transition to be confusing sometimes.

So Paul encouraged all believers to consider their friends and neighbors when making decisions. If something would cause confusion for someone else, then Paul encourages us to not do that thing.

Romans 14:13 ESV

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

1 Corinthians 8:13 ESV

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

These verses make even more sense in context, so I encourage you to read them within their chapter.

Remember those around you when making decisions. It is easy to get caught up in your own life and not even think about how your actions impact others. Even when you are making ‘good’ decisions, realize other people younger in their faith might not understand your freedoms and reasons for exercising those freedoms.

Blessings,

Michelle

Flu Shots – Do I REALLY need one?

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

Most of us grew up Flu vaccine CDCbefore influenza (flu) shots were recommended for nearly everyone. We lived a lot of years just fine without them. Sure, we got sick for about a week sometimes, but we lived through it and got right back on track with our daily lives.

So why make such a big deal now about flu shots?

We are in the last week or so before flu cases start presenting here in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths every season.”

In 2013-14 less than half of eligible people in the country obtained a flu vaccine. For those who were vaccinated, there were 7.2 million fewer people sick with the flu, 3.1 million fewer doctor/clinic visits for flu, and over 90,000 fewer hospitalizations. In particular, there were 55% fewer hospitalizations in people over age 65.

This year (2015-16) the strains of flu covered in the vaccine are even better matched to the dangerous strains expected to cause illness this year. So, this year’s effectiveness will be better than 2014-15.

There are some common beliefs about flu vaccines that are NOT TRUE. Two key myths are:

  • The flu vaccine will make me get the flu
  • The flu vaccine causes problems like autism

The TRUTH is:

  • The flu vaccine is not a live form of the flu virus. It is a killed version that will stimulate your immune system to build resistance against the flu.
  • Many studies have been done that consistently show vaccines are not the cause of the rising number of children with autism. (Unfortunately the real cause(s) have not been found).

You have some options when getting your flu vaccine.

  • Regular vaccine in to your upper arm muscle.
  • High dose vaccine in to your upper arm muscle (approved for people at or over age 65).

Note, there is a live attenuated nasal vaccine. This is for people ages 2-49. There are several reasons why people may not be able to take the nasal vaccine, however, so please talk with us at Meds MASH and/or talk with your doctor about whether this option is good for you.

Be sure to let your doctor and whoever gives your vaccine if you are allergic to EGGS. Note, this is not a reason to avoid vaccination. There is a vaccine you can get. You will be watched more closely for a few minutes after your vaccine.

For more information about flu vaccines, please contact us at www.medsmash.com.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

The flu vaccine can protect us against a week of feeling miserable (and maybe even more dangerous illness).

What protects us from the other miseries of the world?

The Psalms contain many promises about God’s protection for his people.

Psalm 34:7 ESV

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 17:8 ESV

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Psalm 18:2 ESV

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 46:1 ESV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 125:2 ESV

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.

My Refuge and My Fortress Psalm 91  – check out this Psalm

You are not alone! Your deliverer and protector loves you dearly.

Blessings,

Michelle

Photo credit: Public Health Image Library cdc.gov