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LRH Hosts Evening Flu Clinic
Littleton Regional Hospital Occupational Health Department is now offering an evening flu clinic for anyone who us unable to stop by LRH’s Occupational Health Department, Monday through Friday during business hours 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Evening Flu Vaccine Clinic is on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Occupational Health Department, which is located near the main lobby of the hospital next to the emergency department.
The cost of the flu vaccine is $20 per person. Individuals 18 years of age and older can receive the vaccine. LRH will submit the paperwork for anyone covered by Medicare.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5 – 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Some people are at higher risk for flu complications including elderly, children and people with certain health conditions.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which is uncommon but often occurs in children.
The flu virus spreads mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Some people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick, which means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly are fast acting and reduce the number of germs on skin.
Littleton Regional Hospital’s Occupational Health Department will continue to provide flu vaccines while supplied last. Questions? Please call (603) 444-9294.
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