Michael Dell
... pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections. Flu symptoms usually subside after two to three days and disappear within a week. (www.familydoctor.org) The flu spreads from coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, although a person may become infected by touching something with a virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose. (Greenberg) Adults may be able to infect others one day before getting symptoms and up to seven days after getting sick. It is completely possible to give someone the flu before you know you’re sick as well as while you are sick. (Keen, E1) The United States is currently facing a major problem. There is a significant shortage in the flu vaccine. The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. For many people in the United States this isn’t even an option. On October 4, 2004 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified by Chiron, a major manufacturer of the flu vaccine, that none of its influenza vaccine would be available for distribution in the U.S. for the 2004-2005 flu season. Almost half of the nation’s flu vaccine was not delivered this year. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending that only people in certain high-risk groups receive the vaccine. Some of these high-risk groups include, people 65 years of age and older, children six months to twenty-three months of age, adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders, including heart disease and asthma, and healthcare workers who provide direct, hands-on care to patients. (www.cdc.gov/flu) Although this may seem like disaster for people who are ineligible for the flu shot, an article in the Boston Globe recommends that “people avoid close contact with other people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible,...