- I had a stomach bug a while ago. Was that the flu?
Many different illnesses are mistakenly called “the flu” but the actual 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.
Symptoms of flu include:
- 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
- How serious is the flu?
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia; ear infections; sinus infections; dehydration; worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes; and even death.
Every year in the United States, on average:
- 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
- 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
- 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
- How do I benefit from my company having a flu clinic?
According to Web MD magazine, the average office desk has 400% “more germs” than the average toilet seat. Viruses such as influenza are
easily spread in an environment like an office where people are in close quarters for extended periods. Infected persons can take the virus
home to loved ones or out to others without even realizing it, and thus the flu spreads.
The convenience of being able to get your flu shot at work rather than having to make a doctor’s appointment makes it more likely that you
will be vaccinated, which will also protect your family, friends and co-workers.
- I've never had the flu in the past. Do I really need a shot?
Not having it in the past is no guarantee of not getting it in the future. Every season there are different strains of flu, what you didn't
get last year may be around the corner this year. Influenza is not just a bad cold. It is a debilitating and miserable illness that can
cause serious complications up to and including death.
- What if I get the flu from the shot?
The virus in the vaccine is inactivated (killed) so it is impossible to get the flu from a flu shot. It is possible for some people to
feel mildly achy or have a low fever for a day or two after the shot, but that is a very mild reaction compared to the severity of
actually having influenza, and is controllable with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
The flu shot takes approximately three weeks to be effective. If you are exposed to influenza in this time period you could develop the flu.
Although rare, like any medication, flu vaccine can cause allergic reactions.
- I know it's wise to be vaccinated, but I'm scared of needles.
Current technology in syringes allows us to use a needle so thin, that along with experienced and caring nurses, you can now have a virtually
pain-free vaccination experience. Many people walk away from their vaccination saying “Wow, I didn’t even feel that!”
- How do I sign up for an appointment online?
First, click Sign up for an appointment in the menu under Employee Signup Info. Log in with your company username and
password. Your clinic administrator will provide these. Choose a clinic and then a health service. Some companies may offer more than
one choice.
Next, choose an appointment time that is convenient for you, then enter your information (name, email address, and a personal password)
and click the Schedule Appointment button.
That’s it – you’re signed up.
- Is my information private when I post it online?
Yes. Your information is being received by OccuVAX’s private, on-site secure server. Each company (and each clinic within a company)
has its own password. The information you provide the computer is for the purpose of giving you a unique identifier so that the computer
can assign you a time slot for your appointment and keep you separate from other employee signups.
Under the HIPPA law, your medical information must be kept confidential and we are not allowed to share or for it to be viewed by
unauthorized persons.
- I need to change or cancel my time. How do I do that?
First, click Change your appointment or Cancel your appointment in the menu under Employee Signup Info.
Log in with your company username and password, provided by your clinic administrator.
Next, access your appointment by entering your last name and the personal password which you created when you signed up.
To change your appointment:
After you log in, you will see the same options as when you signed up. Change to the new appointment time, clinic, or health service you
prefer, and scroll to the bottom of the page to click the blue Update Appointment button.
To cancel your appointment:
Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and click the red Cancel Appointment button.
- I'm pregnant - should I get a shot? What do I need?
The CDC lists pregnant women in the group for whom flu vaccines are recommended. However, you should always consult with your own
health-care provider first, and you will need to bring a note from your health-care provider giving permission for you to be vaccinated.
- Can my spouse or children get flu shots at my company's clinic?
The vaccine used by OccuVAX this season is not approved for anyone under the age of 18. However, whether or not adult family members are
welcome as part of the clinic is an individual decision of each company and is not decided by OccuVAX. Check with your clinic
administrator if you are not sure. OccuVAX will follow the policy specified by the company.
- Is there anyone who shouldn't get vaccinated?
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.