ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Colder weather is making its way through, which means people will be more susceptible to illnesses like the flu, and the Seward County Health Department is on hand to help.
One of the best ways people can combat the flu is by getting their annual flu shot, and Seward County Health Department Vaccine Coordinator Alexa Varnes said staff has been keeping busy with just that.
“Throughout October, we did have some places we visited so those people didn't have to get out and about to get their flu shots, and those places included Brookdale-Liberal Springs, ResCare, Southern Pioneer Electric Company, and some other places,” Varnes said. “We're currently still doing walk-in appointments for flu shots at the Seward County Health Department during our regular business hours. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months old and older get vaccinated every season, especially since there are many flu viruses, which are always changing. Each year brings a new vaccine to protect against the strains most likely to cause particular hardship, and even if the vaccine doesn't 100 percent match the strain, it will still provide some protection. We don't do the nasal mist, but we do offer the Fluzone in both regular and high-dose shots.”
So far, Varnes said, the health department staff has seen a pretty steady stream of flu shot recipients.
“So far, I feel like people are still kind of trickling into the health department, and I think part of that is because more places in town are offering the flu shot, like Walgreens and Dillons and some other similar places, and that's been a trend for the past few years, which I think is great because that means more people are getting protected,” Varnes said. “We've been seeing a lot of families coming in and doing multiple flu shots in one appointment. I would also highly recommend, if you're bringing your child[ren] in, make sure their shot record is on hand so we can add their flu shot to it and make sure everything is updated. And if they're behind on some other vaccines, it's also a good idea to set up a time to get those caught up so everything's good to go, and being fully caught up on all vaccinations helps with the flu shot stuff as well. I imagine we'll see people continue coming in for their flu shot in the coming weeks, not entirely unlike what we've already been seeing so far. The flu season goes all the way through May, so it's not like we're restricted to just these next couple months, so I feel like we'll see more people coming in in the coming weeks.”
Varnes added the flu can come with its own set of complications.
“The flu is contagious and spreads throughout the U.S. typically between October and May, which is when the weather is cooler,” Varnes said. “The flu can strike anyone, but it's definitely more dangerous for some people, including infants and younger children, senior citizens 65 years old and older, those who are pregnant, and people who have certain other health conditions or are otherwise immunocompromised. And unfortunately, the flu can cause other complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections, and if you have heart disease, cancer or diabetes, the flu can actually make those conditions even worse. Some symptoms to look out for with the flu are fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, coughing, headaches, and nasal congestion/runniness. Right now is the time of year when respiratory illnesses start to become way more prevalent because of the colder weather and other factors and unfortunately, the flu, RSV, COVID-19, etc., can present extremely similarly because they all have a lot of the same symptoms, so it can be hard to officially diagnose what's going on. But the main thing is, if you're unwell, stay at home and let yourself rest and make sure you're getting plenty of fluids. We also highly recommend people wash their hands really well and keep themselves clean in order to help prevent themselves from getting sick, and we recommend passing that hygiene advice to your children if you have them.”
With that in mind, Varnes said, it is important for people to consider getting vaccinated.
“A lot of people say 'I've never gotten a flu shot, and I've been fine, so I'm not going to get it,' or 'The flu shot makes me sick every time,' so they end up not getting vaccinated,” Varnes said. “But the point of the vaccine isn't necessarily to prevent you from getting sick, it's to lessen the impact if you do end up getting ill. Especially if you're around immunocompromised people, it's better to get vaccinated so you don't risk them getting sick. Ultimately, it's not just about you, it's also about the people around you and it's an added layer of protection. I would say it's a good idea to get vaccinated now, before the hustle and bustle of the holidays and before everything gets so busy. And it's not just about decreasing the chances of getting sick, but it's also about convenience since the children will be out of school and won't have to worry about being out. While there's still a bit of downtime, take advantage of that and bring everyone in and get vaccinated.”
Varnes also emphasized the importance of visiting a doctor should symptoms become more severe.
“If you're having difficulty in breathing, or if you're feeling extra fatigued or dizzy or lightheaded, those are all major red flags, so definitely make your way to a doctor's office and get checked out, because it's possible for the flu to evolve into pneumonia or something worse, and that's obviously not good,” Varnes said. “Listen to your body and again, if you're not well, stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. I know the world seems really fast-paced right now, and I know a lot of people are hesitant to miss work or other commitments, but people truly underestimate how much help it can be to take some time to just rest and heal.”
Overall, Varnes said, she and the rest of the Seward County Health Department staff are ready to help anyone and everyone.
“We at the Seward County Health Department are here to help, so if anyone has any questions or concerns about anything, they are more than welcome to get in touch with us at (620) 626-3369, and we'll be happy to help however we can,” Varnes said. “We're here to make sure everyone stays healthy and if you're looking for your flu shot, we're here for you.”
