October 13, 2000

Preparing for the Flu

Take Your Best Shot  

The coming flu season will feature the ongoing battle between an ancient virus and modern medicine. What progress has medical research made?

The flu season will arrive this year as researchers race to develop an adequate supply of flu vaccine. Delays in producing the vaccine—which is designed each year to fight the most current strains of the virus—had threatened to produce a nationwide shortage. But now, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, says that most Americans will simply have to wait for their vaccinations, which may come as welcome news if you don't like getting shots.

The first 27 million doses of the vaccine will be available by the end of October, primarily for people 65 or older. These elders can face serious complications from the flu and account for the majority of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

As many as 50 million more doses will be available by the end of November, in time for the height of flu season, which can last from mid-December through March. This additional vaccine will be coming your way, but don't be too quick to hide. A number of research studies suggest that people of all ages can benefit from a flu shot.

The CDC reports that these shots are up to 90% effective in healthy adults under 65. A recent study of preschoolers who received the shots showed that their families were much less likely to become ill with the respiratory distress, fever, and cough that accompany the flu. Absences from school by these children and their older brothers and sisters, absences from work by their parents, and visits to the doctor all declined sharply.

 
An Annual Event  

The CDC predicts that in a typical year, the flu strikes between 10% to 20% of all Americans.

  • If the population of the United States is approximately 275 million, how many people could get the flu this winter?

  • If approximately 75 million doses of flu vaccine are distributed, estimate the proportion of the entire population that will be vaccinated.

  • Do your own survey of family, friends, and classmates. What proportion are planning to get flu shots this year?

Last year's flu began by scaring public health officials. By January 1, major cities across the country found hospital emergency rooms overwhelmed by flu cases. But, the CDC reports, the flu outbreak slowed, and the 1999 to 2000 flu season proved to be typical.

Flu Facts

Schools with students aged 9 to 15 are considered primary locations for the spread of the virus, and families with children in that age group show an increased incidence of flu.

  • The "Spanish flu" in 1918 to 1919 was responsible for almost 500,000 deaths in the United States and 20 million worldwide.

  • More recently, the "Asian flu" of 1958 to 1959 caused 70,000 deaths in America.

 

Treatments, Old and New  

How do you prevent and treat the flu, aside from the age-old regimen of rest and chicken soup? Since you're dealing with a virus, your best hope is in vaccinating yourself against it, building up your immune system to fight it, and possibly using new medications to lessen its effects.

Treatment

How It Works

Research Findings

Flu Shot

Every year researchers try to keep up with the flu virus by developing a vaccine based on the flu strains currently circulating. Last year's strain was the Sydney flu.

The CDC says the vaccine can prevent illness in 70% to 90% of healthy people under age 65. The effectiveness is somewhat lower for older people, whose immune systems may not be as strong.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has long been known to increase the anti-viral substance interferon and to create strong immune systems.

There is still considerable debate as to the amount of Vitamin C necessary to achieve these effects.

Zinc

This mineral boosts the immune system and has gained increasing popularity in the form of lozenges.

Recent studies at Dartmouth College and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation found that zinc cut in half the length of flu and colds.

Anti-viral Drugs
Launched just last year with a great deal of advertising fanfare, the prescription drugs Relenza and Tamiflu promise to shorten the flu and weaken its effects.
Research sponsored by the drug companies found that flu patients experienced shorter and milder episodes, but needed to start taking the drugs within 48 hours of contracting the illness.
 
 

Learn More

  • Understanding how the respiratory system functions can give you a clearer picture of respiratory illness, including the flu. The following Riverdeep activities introduce this complex system and some of the diseases that can affect it. (Requires Logal Express. Download now.)

    Biology Gateways: Asthma

    Biology Explorer: Health and Diseases

Middle School Gateways: Health and the Respiratory System: Emphysema

 

More Links

 

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