Preventing the Flu - Eugene Urgent Care

Seasonal Flu Shots are now available at EUC.

Preventing the Flu

flu Seasonal Flu Shots Now Available at Eugene Urgent Care

Seasonal Flu Shots are now being given on a walk-in basis at Eugene Urgent Care.

Alex Morley, MD, medical director of the Eugene Urgent Care, and a board certified Emergency Physician for 27 years, shares the concern of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta; the CDC states this year could be the worst flu season the nation has seen in recent history.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be the most common this coming flu season. Although the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against H1N1 virus, the CDC is recommending you get your seasonal flu shot early this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. The CDC expects flu activity to rise ahead of the regular flu period and affect more people than a typical flu season. The CDC recommends that anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccinations. The H1N1 vaccine will likely not be available the beginning of October according to the CDC.

This year especially, the CDC recommends getting the two vaccinations as soon as they become available. Seasonal flu vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

The seasonal flu typically causes about 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations every year, mostly among older adults and high risk groups, according to the CDC. The White House released a report this week that included estimates that another 30,000 to 90,000 people could die from the H1N1 flu virus this season. Early estimates from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology predict the H1N1 flu virus may infect half the U.S. population and hospitalize 1.8 million patients.

Here are three steps you can take to reduce or prevent you and your loved ones from the adverse effects of the flu this season:

Step #1 – Take the time to get vaccinated. The single best way to protect yourself and others is to get a flu vaccination each year.

Step #2 – Take everyday preventative precautions. Wash your hands regularly and frequently with soap and water. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also effective in reducing the spread of germs. Use disinfectants to routinely clean repeatedly touched surfaces, like doorknobs, keyboards and telephones. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are places where the flu virus commonly enters your body.

Step #3 – Take anti-viral drugs if recommended by your health care provider. Antiviral drugs require a prescription and are different from antibiotics. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. Antiviral drugs work best if started within the first 2 days of symptoms. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

About the Eugene Urgent Care: Eugene Urgent Care was founded by an independent alliance of Eugene-Springfield Emergency physicians and other specialty practitioners with the aim of providing affordable, accessible care to the people of Eugene-Springfield and the surrounding communities. The physicians and providers working at Eugene Urgent Care have experience working in Emergency Departments and Family Practice. They have been providing medical care to the people of Lane County for over 25 years.

Eugene Urgent Care provides a wide spectrum of services. The public can come without an appointment to get flu shots, stitches, treatment for a cough or sore throat, or even a broken bone for a fraction of what they would pay for a trip to the emergency room and without waiting.

Eugene Urgent Care is located at the corner of 13th and Patterson and is open 9 am to 9 pm seven days a week. Eugene Urgent Care telephone is 636-3473.