Tag: flu
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The Flu is Here! What Can You Do?
Take time to get a flu vaccine. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Flu vaccination also has been shown…
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Study: Flu May be Spread Just by Breathing
It is easier to spread the influenza virus than previously thought, according to a new University of Maryland-led study. People commonly believe that they can catch the flu by exposure to droplets from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces. But, new information about flu transmission reveals that we may pass…
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ADPH to Hold Special Flu Shot Clinics
MONTGOMERY — With influenza activity levels continuing to increase across the state, including several deaths attributed to the deaths, the Alabama Department of Public Health is conducting free flu shot clinics for Alabama residents. The vaccine is available for both children and adults and there will be no charge for the vaccination during these Influenza Vaccination…
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Flu Outbreak Causes State of Public Health Emergency
An outbreak of the influenza virus has prompted Gov. Kay Ivey to issue a “State Public Health Emergency” for the state of Alabama. The virus poses a high threat of widespread exposure to an infectious agent that poses a risk of substantial harm to a large number of people, according to the proclamation issued by…
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Alabama Experiences Significant Influenza Activity this Season
Influenza activity levels are increasing across the State of Alabama. Several positive influenza specimens in northern Alabama have been identified in the previous three weeks. While the flu season is just getting started in much of the country, activity is already high in Alabama. Flu is a very contagious respiratory illness. Some of the symptoms…
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Health Care Personnel Need Flu Shots, Too
The Alabama Department of Public Health, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Hospital Association have issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of health care personnel receiving influenza vaccinations, urging this simple but significant infection prevention measure to protect patients. Influenza is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization…
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Flu Shots Recommended for Those 6 Months of Age and Older
The Alabama Department of Public Health encourages annual vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older against influenza. One major change for the 2016-2017 season is that children and adults should receive a flu shot instead of nasal spray vaccine. This national recommendation was made because the nasal spray vaccine did not work…