Dr. Thanh Vo warns residents about dangers of influenza

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Dr. Thanh Vo warns residents about dangers of influenza
From Staff Reports
Published: Friday, December 1, 2006 11:24 AM CST
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With flu season once again upon us, Byrd Hospital and the Byrd Hospital Senior Circle sponsored an informative luncheon recently to help the elderly of the community learn how to protect themselves from influenza.

Dr. Thanh D. Vo was on hand Wednesday afternoon at Catfish junction to present a lecture on the flu.

Vo pointed out that although the flu is one of the better known diseases in the nation, few realize how serious the flu can be.

In a given year 5-20 percent of the people in America will catch the flu.

Approximately 200,000 are hospitalized from complications associated with the disease while 36,000 people die each year as a result of the flu.

Worldwide, nearly 500,000 people a year die ass a result of influenza.

Vo encouraged everyone to get a flu vaccination shot now so they an avoid the coughing, sore throat, nasal congestion and other unpleasant effects of the disease.

Vo said that children ages of six months through five years, pregnant women, adults 50 or older, anyone with a chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes and other longterm care facilities should waste no time in getting their flu shots.

Vo warned that certain people would want to avoid the vaccination shot.

According to Vo, anyone who is allergic to chicken eggs, children less than six months old, people who have experienced negative reactions to a flu shot in the past or anyone who developed Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza shot should probably not get the vaccination as it might do more harm than good.

People with a moderate or severe fever should wait until their symptoms lessen to get the vaccination.

Of course, as Vo pointed out, even with the vaccination one might still get the flu.

To that end, Vo laid out the best treatment for the flu for the seniors at Catfish Junction.

Once one is effected by the flu, he or she should, first and foremost, get some rest and increase their fluid intake.

Tobacco should be avoided if at all possible,

Some of the other tips Vo offered where that parents not give their children aspirin for the flu and that anyone with the flu visit their doctor.

A visit to the doctor’s office will not just allow a physician to confirm that a person has the flu, but also allow the doctor to ensure that the patient isn’t afflicted with a bacterial infection.