Health Officials Suggest Flu Shots

By KARIMA A. HAYNES

Oct. 8, 1999 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

You may be able to get through the flu season without a cough, sore throat or high fever, but it’s going to take a little preventive medicine.

That’s what health experts are telling the millions of Los Angeles County residents who could come down with the flu between December and March, the peak period for infection.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Symptoms typically include a high fever, headache, extreme fatigue, and head and chest congestion.

Although most people recover after two weeks, health officials said others may develop serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia.

To battle the bug, doctors encourage all county residents to get a flu shot--particularly those 60 years and older, pregnant women, and adults and children suffering from chronic illnesses.

Free or low-cost influenza vaccines are being offered at numerous hospitals and health clinics across the county, health official said.

“Only a relatively small amount of people are getting the flu shot even though it is 70% to 90% effective,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of public health and health officer for the county Health Services Department.

Fielding said he is “always amazed by how so many people play roulette with their health when there is a safe and effective prevention method available.”

This year’s vaccine protects against three strains of the virus that are likely to cause U.S. illnesses: Type A/Beijing, Type A/Sydney and Type B/Beijing.

The shots are more critical for senior citizens, children with asthma or who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, pregnant women in their second or third trimester, and anyone with diabetes, renal dysfunction or a compromised immune system.

In Los Angeles County, health officials advise residents to get flu shots this month to make sure the vaccine has enough time to work before flu season begins.

“It is hard to tell in advance how bad the flu season is going to be,” Fielding said, “but it very important to get a flu shot and to get it early.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Preventive Medicine

Medical specialists urge people to get flu shots now to give the body time to build antibodies against the three influenza strains likely to cause illness in the U.S. this year.

FLU FACTS

Flu strains expected this season:

Type A/Beijing

Type A/Sydney

Type B/Beijing

Symptoms

*--*

Influenza Common Cold Fever, usually sudden Fever Chills Chills Sweating Stuffy nose Aches and pains Sore throat, Weakness hoarseness Headache Aches and pains Stuffy nose Loss of appetite Sore throat, hoarseness Loss of appetite

*--*

A flu shot will not protect against

the common cold.

When to Call a Doctor

* if your symptoms are worsening

*if you have a high fever

FLU SHOTS

Flu shots should be administered now. Flu season typically runs from December through March.

The Ventura County Health Services Department will offer free flu shots to some county residents.

Those eligible for free flu shots must be:

* 60 or older

* anyone with a chronic health condition such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, asthma or a compromised immune system such as those suffering from AIDS

* caregivers of the above or health care workers

Flu shot phone numbers for clinics in Los Angeles County

* Health Services Department Hotline: (800) 427-8700

* Info-Line: (800) 339-6993

* Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Citizens Services: (213) 738-4004

* Los Angeles: (213) 686-0950

* San Gabriel Valley: (626) 350-6833

* San Fernando Valley: (818) 501-4447

* Burbank/Glendale: (818) 956-1100

* West Los Angeles: (310) 551-2929

* L.A. Airport Area: (310) 671-7464

* TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (800) 660-4026