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Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu shots are available in Lehigh and Riverdale

By Staff | Nov 3, 2009

Stock up on tissues and chicken soup, it’s that time of the year again.

And this flu season promises to be an unpleasant one.

Residents not only have to worry about the chills, fever, cough and muscle aches associated with the “regular flu,” but also potential complications from Swine flu and resultant pneumonia.

The Lee County Health Department is again recommending seasonal flu shots, the H1N1 and pneumonia shots this year, especially for children, young adults and older than 50 for seasonal flu, and individuals who fall into certain high-risk categories. If you are over 64, health officials don’t think you need the Swine Flu shot unless you have other serious health conditions.

We urge everyone to pay heed: According to health department statistics, in an average year, an estimated 226,000 people are hospitalized due to the flu. Some 36,000 people die.

Private physicians and various entities, including the health department, offer seasonal flu shots. The Visiting Nurses Association, in fact, brings its inoculation clinics here to Lehigh Acres and other areas around Lee County. They will be giving seasonal flu shots on Nov. 11 at the Medicine Shoppe at the Lehigh Towne Center on the corner of Homestead and Alabama roads.

Meanwhile, there also are things we can do to help limit exposure in the community.

The biggest thing, of course, is to stay home while exhibiting flu symptoms. The Centers for Disease control recommends that we stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, leaving only to receive medical care or obtain necessities.

This also means limiting contact with others as much as possible, lots of hand washing and covering during a cough or sneeze.

With the added concern of swine flu, this year’s flu season prognosis isn’t the best. But we can take action to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and we can help stop its spread.

One of the most important things you can do is to keep your hands clean. Wash them often with an anti bacterial soap. Wash them for at least 30 seconds.

Some people have even stopped shaking hands until the flu season is over. If you meet someone who has taken this course of action, be aware that they don’t want to take any chances of getting or giving you the flu.

Take the advice of your doctor and of the Lee County Health Department. Keep watching this website or the printed edition of The Citizen for H1N1 flu shot locations.

– Citizen Editorial