A Service of The Arrow           Thursday November 4, 1999 7:52 PM

By: Zack Mahon

ARROW STAFF

Although the flu may not seem like a threat yet, now is the time for students to buff up their immune systems against the disabling illness by getting a flu shot.

“The time to get flu shots is the end of October through the end of November because it takes six weeks to build antibodies from the shot,” said R.N. Kelly Thies, of Family Health Care. “The shot won't help you until you build antibodies.”

Thies said it's recommended that a flu shot be taken yearly by all teens, especially those who are diabetics, asthmatics, or have heart disease.

The county runs an immunization clinic on the 3rd floor of the old hospital at 723 5th Ave. E. Those interested can walk in Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., or can call for other times. The cost is $10.

“The flu shot has only three types of flu in it,” said Thies. “It's formulated from the most common of last year's flus. The flu shot lasts three to six months.”

“The height of the flu season is in February, but people are predicting it will be a little early this year.”

It's also recommended that people receive all three doses of Hepatitis B shots, a Tetanus shot, and have two doses of chicken pox vaccination for those who haven't had the virus.

Each year the Centers for Disease Control, in Atlanta, Georgia, looks at flu trends and advises the types of flu to immunize against.

“So far there have been zero confirmed reports,” said Elaine Sedlack, nurse at the Flathead County immunization clinic. “Usually, we don't see it until November or December.”

It takes on average about five days to start getting rid of influenza — and that's getting eight to ten hours of sleep a night, eating nutritiously, and exercising daily.

News | Features | Opinions | In-Depth | Sports | A & E | Backpage

Contact us: Submit feedback, send a letter to the editor.

The Arrow is Copyright © 1999 by The FHS, a High school Newspaper.

This page has been accessed times since 2/27/98