Preparing For Flu Season

Did you know that complications related to the flu cause more than 36,000 deaths each year?  Preparing for flu season is an important part of protecting your health.

What Is The Flu?
Influenza or the flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus.  It often causes fever, muscle aches and dizziness.  You can also experience a dry cough, headache, sore throat and general weakness.  H1N1 or Swine flu may also cause stomach disorders such as diarrhea and vomiting.

It is important to recognize the symptoms of the flu so you can seek medical treatment, especially if you have a chronic condition.  Plus the earlier you recognize the symptoms impacts how long the flu lasts and the flu can lead to more serious infections such as pneumonia.

Should You Get A Flu Shot?
The most effective way to prevent the flu is by having a flu shot that can help protect you and your family from getting the flu.  The flu vaccine is changed every year according to the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), which predicts which strain of flu virus is most likely to appear during the next flu season.

Here are some things to keep in mind while making a decision about having a flu shot:

• A flu shot may not keep you from getting the flu.  Flu shots are about 70 percent effective in preventing the flu.  But if you get the flu after getting the flu shot, your symptoms will be milder and the risk of getting a more serious infection is reduced.
• Are you at high risk for getting complications when you have the flu?  Getting a flu shot if you are at high risk for complications is important.  Those at high risk include young children over the age of six months, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic diseases or weak immune systems.
• If you are a caregiver for someone who is at high risk, it is probably a good idea for you to get the shot as well.  This reduces the risk of giving the person you care for the flu.
• If you have an allergy to eggs, had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past, or are ill, you should discuss getting a flu shot with your physician.
• You should discuss the administration of flu shots for children under the age of six months with a physician.
• You cannot get the flu from having a flu shot.  The flu shot introduces part of an inactive virus into your immune system and your body reacts by making protective antibodies against the flu.
• As stated above, the flu virus changes every season.  So even if you had a flu shot last year, you need one again this year.
• The vaccine becomes effective about two weeks after you get the shot.  The best time to get a flu shot is in October or November before flu season starts.

Your Benefits
Basic and Standard Option provide benefits for both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine.  You pay nothing for flu shots when you use a Preferred provider.

Immunizations for children, including the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines are paid in full when you use Preferred providers under both options.  In addition, you pay nothing for the related office visit if you use a Preferred provider.

Benefits are also paid in full for the season flu and H1N1 vaccine provided by a Preferred retail pharmacy that participates in our vaccine network and when administered in compliance with state law and pharmacy requirements.

Please refer to section 5(a) and 5(f) of the 2011 Service Benefit Plan brochure for more information about benefits for flu shots.

Written by Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Resources:  2011 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure (RI 71-005); www.webmd.com, Cold and Flu.

Page last updated: December 29, 2011