The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week after Thanksgiving, November 27 to December 2, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. The theme of the week is “Don’t get flu.  Don’t spread flu.  Get Vaccinated.” and is designed to highlight the importance of getting the influenza (flu) vaccination.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Guilford County Department of Public Health is still offering flu vaccinations for both adults and children.  Interested persons should call to make an appointment.  For children’s and adult flu shots at the 1100 E. Wendover Avenue location in Greensboro, call 641-5563. For an appointment at the 501 E. Green Drive, High Point location, call 845-7699.

As of November 9, 2007, North Carolina has only had one confirmed case of influenza in Buncombe County.  The N.C. Division of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Control website at www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/flu.html has a periodic report on influenza-related activity in the state.  General information about influenza from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be viewed on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/flu or for national activity, go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm

Symptoms of flu include:
• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Adults and children are encouraged to practice infection-reducing measures, including:
• frequent and thorough hand washing;
• coughing and sneezing into your bended elbow or sleeve;
• staying home when you are sick;
• staying away from others who are sick;
• eating healthy foods; and
• getting enough rest to avoid flu and other viruses and colds.

For more information about flu or the flu vaccine, contact your health care provider or the Guilford County Department of Public Health at 641-7777.  You may also visit the Department of Public Health’s website at www.guilfordhealth.org