Best Time for Flu Shot

October 16, 2017

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people are strongly advised to get a flu vaccine before the end of October. Since the vaccination takes two weeks after administration to begin providing protection, it is recommended that people get the vaccination sooner rather than later, as the flu season usually begins to pick up by the end of October.
While any of the approved flu vaccinations offer protection against the virus, there are some formulations that offer protection against more strains. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. Trivalent vaccines protect against three strains of the virus, while quadrivalent vaccines protect against a fourth additional strain. We carry the quadrivalent vaccine to provide our patients with the most protection from the flu.

For the 2017-2018 flu season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The nasal spray flu vaccine should not be used during 2017-2018. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. See People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications for a full list of age and health factors that confer increased risk.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later.

Schedule your flu shot with us today!

Hepatitis A Outbreak

August 10, 2017August 10, 2017

San Diego is experiencing a Hepatitis A outbreak. Here’s what you need to know about the disease. It can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

What is the source of the outbreak?

Since early 2017, the Public Health Services Division, in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, has been investigating a local Hepatitis A outbreak. The outbreak investigation is ongoing. It has been challenging because of the long incubation period of the disease (15 to 50 days) and the difficulty experienced to contact many individuals sickened with the illness who are homeless and/or illicit drug users. To date, no common source of food, beverage, or other cause has been identified; as a result, the source of the outbreak remains undetermined.

How many people have been affected?

So far, there have been 312 people affected by the local outbreak. Unfortunately, 10 people have died and 215 people have been hospitalized.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus, which is highly contagious. It can cause liver disease, lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting months. In some cases, people can die.

How Is It Transmitted?

Hepatitis A virus is usually transmitted by:

Touching objects or eating food that someone with Hepatitis A infection handled.
Having sex with someone who has a Hepatitis A infection.

Take CDC’s Hepatitis Risk Assessment and get a personalized report in 5 minutes.

What Are the Symptoms?

Hepatitis A does not always cause symptoms. Some people get Hepatitis A and have no symptoms of the diseases. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, and diarrhea.

How Can Hepatitis A Be Prevented?

Get two shots of the Hepatitis A vaccine six months apart. The vaccine may be given as a twin vaccine against both Hepatitis A and B.
Don’t have sex with someone who has Hepatitis A infection.
Use your own towels, toothbrushes, and eating utensils.
Don’t share food, drinks, or smokes with other people.

Who Should Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?

Individuals who are homeless.
Individuals who work with homeless and/or users of illegal drugs.
Travelers to countries with high or medium rates of Hepatitis A virus.
Men who have sex with men.
Users of injection and non-injection illegal drugs.
Individuals with chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
Anyone who is concerned about Hepatitis A virus exposure and wants to be immune.
Persons with clotting factor disorders.

Note: individuals with chronic liver disease (i.e., cirrhosis and hepatitis C) may not be at increased risk of getting HAV infections but are at increased risk of having poor outcomes if they are infected with HAV.

We have the Hepatitis A vaccine in stock and can provide it for you without a prescription. Our pharmacist will write the prescription and administer the vaccine in one quick visit. Book your appointment today!

Here’s a video about the local outbreak:

Flu Myths and Tips

December 22, 2016December 21, 2016

You’re probably aware that we’ve officially entered both the holiday season and flu season. This year, we’d like to help you focus on the spirit of giving…except when it comes to giving the flu!

There’s still time to get a flu shot. Flu season lasts through Spring each year. In fact, in June of this year there was a late-season flu-related death here in San Diego County. Regardless of age or health condition, anyone can catch the flu, and get very sick. Even if it’s a mild case, he or she can still spread it to other people, like family, friends and co-workers. People with flu are contagious even before they develop symptoms. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get this important protection.

Our clinic has been full of the holiday spirit as families, couples, children, and adults of all ages have been coming in for their flu shots. For those of you who have already come in for your flu shot, kudos! For those of you who haven’t had the time or might be hesitant to get the flu shot, please take a few minutes out of your schedule to squeeze this important preventive health visit in. We can provide flu vaccines to anyone who is 4 years of age or older. If you have health insurance, the cost may be covered. For example, Medicare covers this vaccine. If you don’t have insurance, we have the lowest prices (only $25 for the regular flu shot that covers 4 virus strains and $54 for the high dose flu shot if you are over age 65).

You can book your appointment on our website or give us a call today!

Hope to see you in clinic soon! Happy Holidays!

In addition to protecting yourself with the flu shot, there are some other things you can do to help avoid getting sick with the flu, colds and other respiratory diseases (and avoid spreading illness to others):

Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your arm.
Wash your hands often, with plenty of soap and warm water.
Stay away from sick people whenever possible.
Stay home when you’re sick.
Get enough rest, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

These tips are helpful in protecting your health all year, not just during flu season.

MYTH #1: The flu shot gives you the flu.

The flu shot doesn’t give you the flu, because it can’t. The flu shot contains killed virus. That killed virus can’t infect you and give you the flu. You may have received a flu shot in the past and then become sick after that. But it wasn’t caused by the flu shot. It could be that you were already infected with the flu before you got the shot. Or it could be that you had become infected with another strain of the flu that wasn’t in the vaccine. Or you may have had a respiratory infection or a cold, and experienced flu-like symptoms. But that doesn’t mean you had the flu.

MYTH #2: I don’t need the flu shot because I never get sick.

Even if you have never been sick, that doesn’t mean you will never get sick. If your loved ones have never been in a car accident, does that mean they shouldn’t have to wear a seat belt? Of course your answer is NO, so why take chances with the flu? The virus doesn’t care how healthy you’ve been. You can still catch the flu and become very ill. You can miss work, school and other important activities in your life. And you can make others sick, too—including people who have health conditions like heart disease or cancer that make them especially vulnerable to flu and its complications like pneumonia. The flu can even be fatal. (For stories about real people whose lives were touched by vaccine preventable diseases like influenza, visit http://www.shotbyshot.org.)

MYTH #3: The flu isn’t a big deal.

We wish that was true! Last year in San Diego County alone, there were nearly 7,000 cases of flu that resulted in 120 hospitalizations in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 68 deaths.