Submitted by Anneliese Means, RN, BSN, Community Health Nurse
The flu viruses have arrived in Tulalip but it’s not too late to vaccinate – Get your flu vaccine today!
This week at the Tulalip Health Clinic we diagnosed and treated three children with the flu under the age of seven. Unfortunately it is our children, elders (over the age of 50), and our pregnant women who are at high risk of having flu related complications (like severe illness, hospitalization, and even death). The flu season could stretch all the way into May this year so it is not too late to vaccinate!
For millions of people every season, the flu can mean a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and miserable days spent in bed. However, you may not realize that each flu season, flu also causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths.
How dod I know if I have the flu?
If you have a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, or fatigue you might have the flu.
What can I do?
Prevent the flu by getting your flu vaccination, covering your cough, and regularly washing your hands (for 30 seconds or more).
When you are sick, wash your hands, cover your cough, stay away from loved ones, and go to the doctor quickly to be checked for the flu.
Studies show that flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. This is why CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older (including pregnant women). Flu vaccines are available at the Tulalip Health Clinic as a shot and as a nasal spray through a walk-in nurse visit for vaccination.
Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic (360-716-4511)
Nurse Visit/Vaccination Walk-In Days:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Hours: 8am-11:30am and 1pm-3:30pm
Wednesday
Hours: 10am-11:30am and 1pm-4pm
To learn more about high risk conditions, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm