How to keep from wheezing and sneezing this flu season

The Daviess County Health Department has been giving flu shots in the Gallatin Office since the end of September on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has offered clinics throughout the county, and will continue while supplies last.
Check the health department out on Facebook, or their newly updated website at www.daviesshealthonline.com for more information.
If you have private insurance please call your insurance company (phone number should be on the back of the card) prior to your visit and make sure Daviess County Health Department is a provider and that they cover for immunizations. This will help make your appointment go much quicker, and will keep you from having to cover the cost if your insurance doesn’t cover the flu shot.
The following is a list of insurance companies the health department has a contract with for immunizations: BCBS, UHC/UMR, Cigna, and Coventry/Aetna. Medicare, Medicaid, managed Medicaid providers – Mo State Health, UHC, Mo. Care, and private insurance will be billed. Please bring your cards.
If your insurance doesn’t cover immunizations, the health department can offer you a flu shot at no cost as an under-insured individual with vaccine provided by the state.
If you don’t have insurance, the health department can offer you a flu shot at no cost as an uninsured individual with vaccine provided by the state.
If you have insurance and it covers immunizations but we are not a provider of your insurance, you can go to a covered provider or pay the $20 fee.
Pneumonia vaccine will be available in limited supply to those adults who qualify. The health department advises its clients to call and verify insurance and Medicare providers and payment prior to your visit. It would be helpful if those interested know the date and type of previous pneumonia vaccine if at all possible.
What is 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.
Every year in the United States, on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from the flu and about 36,000 people die from the flu.
Some people, such as the elderly, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
The symptoms of the flu include: sudden onset of fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.
Complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may 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 one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
So if you feel sick, stay home and be sure to wash your hands!