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The Seasonal Flu and You

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by 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.

What You Need To Know:

• Every year in the United States, on average 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications.

• 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. 

• Older people, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

• More than 90 percent of the deaths and 60 percent of the hospitalizations occur in patients over 65.

Ways to Stay Healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective when soap and water aren’t available.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Flu is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Getting the Seasonal Flu Vaccine:

• The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross offers the seasonal flu vaccination at various public clinics throughout the Kansas City metro area.

• Each year, a new vaccine is made for the strains of the influenza virus that are projected to affect the country during the “usual” flu season. Although the virus does mutate and the duration and severity of the disease does vary, an influenza vaccination offers protection from the disease.

• The Chapter distributes about 10,000 seasonal flu vaccines into the metro community each season.

• If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you must provide a written note from your parent or guardian and your physician to receive the flu shot. We are unable to administer the flu vaccination to children less than 16 years old. 

• The cost of the flu shot is $25, or the American Red Cross will bill your Medicare Part B or Medicare Supplement Plan if that is your primary insurance. You can also submit the receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement. We do accept credit cards. For more details, please call (816) 931-8400. 

The H1N1 Flu and You

What You Need To Know:

Ways to Stay Healthy:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s thought the novel H1N1 flu spreads in the same way as seasonal flu — through coughs and sneezes of those infected with the virus or touching infected objects and then rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth. Even the symptoms are similar: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  The same tips used for staying healthy from the seasonal flu apply to H1N1.

Getting the Novel H1N1 Vaccine:

Take a Class on Pandemic Flu

The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City offers a free course:  Pandemic Flu -- Are You Prepared? This one hour class is designed for groups of 10 or more and discusses the differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu and explores how the virus is spread. Participants will learn the steps to take to prevent the spread of seasonal and pandemic flu. Information will also be presented on how to prepare for a flu pandemic.Contact Becky Nafzinger at nafzingerr@arckc.org, or (816) 841-5237 to schedule a presentation.