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Why The Flu Shot Isn’t About You — But You Should Get It Anyway

By U.S. News & World Report

As someone who examines health on a population level, I have seen how influenza, or flu, sweeps through communities every year. I have also heard reasonable people explain to me why they choose not to get vaccinated. While I cannot persuade everyone to make this personal decision, it is my duty to ensure our community has access to the most accurate information available, so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

I am fortunate to work with world-class researchers and health care providers who dedicate their lives to keeping communities safe and healthy. One recurring theme I hear year after year is: Get your flu shot.

Why is a disease that we can see coming months in advance still hitting epidemic levels every single winter?

[See: How to Disinfect Germ Hotspots.]

Let’s examine what we know:

The flu causes millions of missed days of work and school each year. In the United States alone, about 36,000 people die annually and more than 200,000 are hospitalized because of the flu.

We are fortunate to have a vaccine for this disease that is safe and cost-effective. Yet, according to the NYC Health Department, only about half of New Yorkers get vaccinated. Public health officials and those who work in population health, like me, are on a mission to change this.

We want to safeguard our community as much as possible from unnecessary hospital visits and missed days of school, work and fun. Montefiore, the health system where I work, aims to have all patients, staff and community members vaccinated. We do this by analyzing flu data to understand why certain neighborhoods are more impacted, partnering with organizations in the community to hold pop-up flu vaccination events and hosting educational flu workshops. If you don’t live in the Bronx, you might consider contacting your local community health center to find out if they have similar initiatives nearby.

We invest so much in helping people get the vaccine because if everyone in the community gets the flu shot, we are protecting vulnerable people who can’t get the vaccine, such as infants and the very sick. For people in this category, the flu can cause more serious complications, including pneumonia and even death.

[See: 10 Cold and Flu Myths Debunked.]

If I had 10 minutes with everyone in my community to discuss the flu, here is what I would tell them:

— Anyone who spends time with vulnerable people, including caregivers, health care workers and nursing home residents, needs to get vaccinated. Other vulnerable individuals include young children, people 65 and older, those who are immune-compromised and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, congestive heart failure and diabetes. The flu is very dangerous for these populations.

— Some people think the flu vaccine causes the flu because they once got the flu several days after getting the vaccine. However, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. Therefore, you’re still at risk of contracting the flu in the two weeks after you have been vaccinated. This why it’s better to get vaccinated before the flu season gets underway.

— You can spread the flu if you’re feeling good. Twenty to 30 percent of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms.

— Washing your hands (with soap or using sanitizer) and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or a sleeve (as opposed to your hands) can also help prevention transmission of the flu.

— The flu vaccine is covered by insurance, often at no cost depending on where it is administered.

— If you get the flu, it is important to stay home (and not to go to work or school, where the risk of infecting others is high) until you are fever free for at least 24 hours. Getting plenty of rest and drinkings lots of fluids is the best way to recuperate.

— If you are caring for a vulnerable person and you or they are experiencing flu symptoms, call your primary care doctor immediately to see if the antiviral medication is right for you. Generally, this medication works best if given within the first 48 hours of illness.

— If you are just feeling sick, it is not advisable to go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms are for people who are very sick. Showing up when you don’t need to be there puts you and others at unnecessary risk of infection.

— There is an exception to my emergency department tip. If you or your loved one is experiencing warning signs like difficulty breathing, bluish skin color, dehydration, lethargy, dizziness, confusion or severe and persistent vomiting, please seek care immediately.

— Any infant who has symptoms of the flu and is unable to eat, has difficulty breathing or shows a sign of dehydration (e.g., fewer wet diapers than normal, no tears when crying) should also get medical help right away.

[See: Old-School Cold Remedies That Really Work.]

We don’t know what this flu season will look like, but we know that if more people get vaccinated and follow the above recommendations, it’ll help everyone. Stay well this season!

More from U.S. News

How to Disinfect Germ Hotspots

Can You Trust Your ‘Yuck’ Reflex?

10 Cold and Flu Myths Debunked

Why The Flu Shot Isn’t About You — But You Should Get It Anyway originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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