Residents of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, began receiving the Influenza Virus vaccine September 15, as a step to prepare for the up-coming flu season.
Mandatory shots will be available on Camp Arifjan until December 1, based on Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian or Department of Defense status. As many as 20,000 residents of Camp Arifjan and surrounding camps are protected with flu shots annually.
However, flu shots are not the only means of responsible flu awareness.
Aca,!A"Hand washing is the number one way of stopping the spread of any virus,Aca,!A? said Staff Sgt. Leonardo Delgado, Medical Protection System Coordinator for Kuwait. Aca,!A"It is also important to keep hands away from your mouth, eyes and nose. These are the main entry points for germs on the human body.Aca,!A?
Approximately 226,000 people become hospitalized from this contagious disease yearly. Symptoms can vary, but commonly include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue.
According to http://healthblogonline.com, the U.S. Military developed the first vaccine for Influenza in the mid 1940Aca,!a,,cs to protect Soldiers in World War II. They have since modified and improved the vaccine to continue to protect Soldiers wherever they go.
Aca,!A"The flu shot does not cause a person to become sick after they receive the vaccine. This is a common myth,Aca,!A? said Delgado. Aca,!A"This simply means the person was exposed to something prior to receiving the shot.Aca,!A?
Influenza symptoms can be close to or the same as the recent H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus, and only a medical screening can determine the proper treatment. A vaccine for the Swine Flu virus can be expected in the near future, and will likely be given with the basic Influenza vaccine.
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