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Answers to Your Questions about the Flu
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Einstein Healthcare Network
12:13
The chat with Dr. Sachinwalla will take place right here on Thursday, November 2 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Feel free to post questions ahead of time using the blue box below. There will be no video or audio, just answers to your questions.
*** Thursday, November 2 ***
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:22
The doctor is in the house. We will get started in about eight minutes. Thanks for joining us.
12:30
Hi everyone. This is Dr. Eric Sachinwalla, I'm one of the infectious disease doctors at Einstein and happy to have you all here to ask your flu questions. Let's get started!!
Beth
12:30
I had my flu shot for this season already - on 10/19. Can a person get a second flu shot during the same flu season for maximum protection? If yes, how long after the first shot? If no, please explain. Thank you.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:31
Hi Beth - great question. One dose of the flu shot is enough. Getting a second flu shot can increase the risk of developing a local site reaction so we don't recommend getting 2 shots in the same season.
Lee's
12:31
Runny nose dry cough tickle in throat no fever is this a flu 3 weeks duration no aches or pain
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:32
Hi Lee. Typically flu doesn't last for 3 weeks and fever is a predominant symptom. Usually associated with body aches. Coughing, runny nose related to other respiratory infections can last for quite a while unfortunately. Usually supportive therapy is all that is necessary.
Star
12:33
I have Bronchitis. Will my Bronchitis get worse if I get the flu? If so, what can I do to strengthen my immune system?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:34
Hi Star. Having chronic bronchitis does put you at higher risk for more severe influenza. The best ways to protect yourself are to get the influenza vaccine and wash your hands.
Dusty Wathan
12:34
How can I protect my infant from the flu? How old do you need to be to get a vaccination?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:35
Hi Dusty. Excellent question!! Getting your child vaccinated is the best way to protect them. Infants can start getting the flu shot at 6 months of age. Also ensuring that whomever takes care of your child is also vaccinated can help protect them, especially if they're too young to get the vaccine.
Richard Fad
12:37
My 1st post was sent before i could finish. I am age 73. Have COPD and CHF. Have a defibrillator implant. I do voluntary income tax prep at our local low income center. Some of my clients (all ages) come in  with coughs and runny noses, etc in the cold weather. What are the best OTC prevention medications and devices for me to use to avoid becoming sick from these encounters?  Thank You, Rich Fad  email richfad@comcast.net
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:38
Hi Richard. Yes it's very common to come into contact with others who are sick during influenza season. The best ways to protect yourself are to get the influenza vaccine, make sure you're washing your hands frequently, and wiping surfaces. Having tissues available for your clients to limit spread of viruses/germs can also help.
Diane B
12:39
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD BABIES RECEIVE THE FLU VACCINE?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:39
Hi Diane, babies can start to receive the flu vaccine after 6 months of age.
Bonnie
12:40
Hi Dr I usually do get the flu shot every year however I did get sick last week with a low grade fever, really bad cold and horrible cough with phlegm. It lasted about a good week and starting to actually get some sleep finally -however still coughing with yellow thick mucous occasionally.So do you still recommend me getting a flu shot? If so when is a good time? I do have a 5 year son and my mom is 78. My age is 46. Thanks in advance Dr !! Bonnie /Ps: In the past when I did get the flu shot I noticed I did get the achy and type of cold I recently just got so a little hesitant. Hope I told you enough info.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:42
Hi Bonnie. Great question!! We usually tell patients that if they're sick to wait until the symptoms are starting to improve. If you're starting to feel better and not having any more fever you should be fine to get it. Given that you have a young child and an older mother it would be important to get the flu shot.
Verne H.
12:42
Why after the flu shot I feel flu like symptoms but have constantly heard that you don't get sick after a flu shot?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:44
Hi Verne, this is a very common question. The flu shot is an inactivated virus and so you can't get the flu from the shot. The shot does cause an immune response in your body to help develop protective antibodies and so aches and low grade fever may occur as that immune response is occurring. There are also other respiratory viruses that circulate in our community around the same time as flu.
Murray Monastero
12:45
When I get the flu shot, I within a week get sick. Is this just a coincidence?  Did I have the cold in my system already?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:45
Hi Murray, yes this very well might have just been a coincidence. The flu shot cannot give you the flu because the virus in the vaccine is not live.
Gabe K.
12:46
When does flu season start / end in Philadelphia?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:48
Hi Gabe - great question. The exact start and stop dates vary from year to year but typically we see the majority of our flu cases between December and April. The Philadelphia Dept of Health website provides weekly updates if you're interested.
virginia wininger
12:49
Will a regular flu shot suffice for seniors ? My doctor did not have the shot for seniors so I just received the regular one. Will I be protected sufficiently?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:50
Hi Virginia - yes you should still receive adequate protection. The High Dose Flu shot does provide a slightly higher immune response in seniors but the regular flu shot should still provide you with protection. I would not recommend getting the senior flu shot this year, since you already got the regular one because getting 2 in one year increases the chances of local reaction.
Jessica
12:51
Do you recommend a flu shot for young children? My son is 5.
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:51
Hi Jessica. Yes I definitely recommend children get the flu shot. Kids under the age of 5 are at higher risk for severe influenza and the flu shot can help reduce this risk.
Alex
12:52
Do drugs that claim to shorten your flu (like Tamiflu) actually work if you take them early enough?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:53
Hi Alex - yes if you take Tamiflu early enough after symptom onset they can reduce the duration of symptoms.
Beth
12:53
Hi - thank you for answering my "pre chat" question.  I do have another question. Flu shots help prevent the flu, but are no guarantee, correct? Is it fair to say that ALL members of an immediate household should get the flu shot for maximum protection ... especially if one family member is 90+ years old?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:55
Hi again Beth! You're very welcome. You are correct that the flu shot does not provide 100% protection but does provide some protection. And yes, the more people in the house that receive the flu vaccine, the less likely it is for someone to transmit flu to your elderly family member. So I would recommend that all the members of your household get the vaccine.
Guest
12:55
how come it's hard to target (or predict) the virus strain for the vaccine? this year only targets one strain
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:56
The flu vaccines target 3 or 4 strains of the virus, depending on which type of flu vaccine you receive.
Velma
12:56
What is the average estimated duration of the flu?
Einstein Healthcare Network
12:57
Hi Velma, most people with the flu have symptoms for about 7 days. Fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, and congestion are the most common symptoms.
Mary
12:57
My 92 yr old mother had Guillain Barre. She does not receive the flu vaccine. Is this still the current thinking for these patients. And, what is the best way to protect her against the flu without the vaccine. Thanks.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:01
Hi Mary thanks for the question. There are many causes of Guillain Barre and influenza vaccine is one cause, though relatively uncommon. If your mother's Guillain Barre was related to influenza vaccine, I would hold off on vaccination. If so the best way to protect her is to have anyone who helps care for her get the vaccine, if someone is sick they shouldn't visit, and using good respiratory etiquette (covering mouth with tissues when coughing). Hope this helps.
Janet Bonekemper
1:01
Eating out - should buffets and salad bars be avoided during the flu season?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:04
Hi Janet. Influenza is usually spread through contact with cough and respiratory secretions but touching surfaces where someone else coughed and then touching your mouth can spread it as well. I would suggest making sure where you're eating is clean.
Richard E Unger
1:05
WHERE CAN I GET THE EGG FREE FLU SHOT?
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