LIVE CHAT: Ask health official questions about flu outbreak

Join our chat with Cuyahoga County Board of Health's Cindy Modie who will answer your questions about the flu outbreak. She will be in the chat from noon to 3 p.m.

Hello and welcome to our live chat.

by WEWS NewsChannel 5 1/9/2013 4:46:36 PM
Once you have had this flu strain you cannot get it again this season, correct?

by Abby 1/9/2013 4:52:29 PM
Why are there more people that have the flu that got the flu shot then those that didn't?

by Cleveland 1/9/2013 4:53:14 PM
I agree, thus far most of the people I personally know that have had the flu did in fact have a flu shot.

by Abby 1/9/2013 4:54:59 PM
Cleveland - unfortunately a person can get the flu following the flu vaccine. Only the 3 most virulent circulating strains are covered in the vaccine. That leaves many lesser varieties out there for you to catch. Also, there is a window of 2 weeks following vaccination when you do not have full antibodies to fight off the flu.

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:01:45 PM
What are the first symptoms to look for when a person gets the fllu?

by Pat 1/9/2013 5:02:45 PM
Hi Abby, You can not get the exact strain that you had - but that still leaves many other strains that you can get. Some quite virulent and others less severe.

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:03:38 PM
We all know the major symptoms, but I'm hearing vomiting accompanying the flu this year - is this true or are people confused between the actual flu and a stomach virus/norovirus.

by sissy 1/9/2013 5:04:54 PM
Pat - the symptoms can start out with fever, aches, congestion and cough

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:05:03 PM
Is there a difference between "flu-like illness" and the flu?

by Tina 1/9/2013 5:05:12 PM
Thank you.

by Pat 1/9/2013 5:05:33 PM
Is it possible to get the flu and three weeks later get it again?

by Lynne 1/9/2013 5:06:28 PM
Sissy - there are many varieties of viruses that are circulating that cause vomiting. Children often have vomiting with "true Flu", more so that adults. Real flu causes severe body aches, congestion and cough - whereas norovirus does not have the upper respiratory symptoms

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:07:16 PM
Thank You.

by sissy 1/9/2013 5:08:32 PM
Lynne yes you can get the flu again as there are different strains of circulating flu. That is why we suggest you get a flu vaccine to protect yourself from the most prominent circulating strains

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:08:35 PM
I have not had the flu shot yet this year, is it too late?

by kmartin 1/9/2013 5:08:56 PM
Tina,

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:09:10 PM
It is my five year old who just started with the fevers and headache again yesterday.

by Lynne 1/9/2013 5:09:22 PM
Test

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:09:35 PM
Tina - if your flu - like symptoms disappear in a day or 2 you did not have the flu.

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:10:07 PM
where can I get a reduced flu shot

by lori 1/9/2013 5:10:12 PM
is it too late to get the shot?

by Lynne 1/9/2013 5:10:25 PM
Lynne, it is important to keep you child well hydrated and the temp under control. I suggest a call to your pediatrician for further advice.

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:11:14 PM
Hi Lori,

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:11:29 PM
Hi Lori,

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:11:50 PM
where can I get a reduced flu shot I need to get one

by lori 1/9/2013 5:12:10 PM
Lori - you can get a reduced fee flu shot at the Cuyahoga county Board of Health if you do not have insurance.

by Cindy Modie 1/9/2013 5:12:58 PM
Is there no such thing as a 24-hour flu then?

by Tina 1/9/2013 5:13:00 PM
I got a flu shot in Oct. & recently had the flu. Is it possible to get the flu a second time this season?

by Suzy 1/9/2013 5:13:06 PM
Do you think the flu vaccine has been overpromoted/overhyped?

by Tina 1/9/2013 5:13:28 PM
for how much at the Cuyahoga board of health and where are you located

by lori 1/9/2013 5:14:07 PM
Tina - the 24 hour illness is a different virus, not the same as the flu that you get protected from in the flu vaccine

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:15:02 PM
I guess I had the 24 hr. illness then... can you get that horrible thing a second time in the same season?

by Suzy 1/9/2013 5:16:16 PM
Suzy - you can get another strain of the flu that is of a lesser variety, that is not included in the vaccine.

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:16:58 PM
How do i know i have the flu? seems like a very bad child right now.

by Rosetta 1/9/2013 5:18:20 PM
Lori, the vaccine is free for children. The vaccine is free for adults that do not have insurance and it would be a hardship to pay $26.00. We do bill insurance also.

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:18:50 PM
With all of the flu going around right now, is there any reason to get a flu shot today?

by mark 1/9/2013 5:19:45 PM
How safe is it for pregnant women to get the flu vaccine?

by Tina 1/9/2013 5:20:15 PM
Mark, for sure! Flu season in Ohio lasts through March and the number of cases are increasing. Not only do you protect yourself, but you protect your family, coworkers, neighbors and the community!

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:21:19 PM
The reason I am questioning it I read the flu shot takes 2 weeks before being truly helpful.

by mark 1/9/2013 5:21:30 PM
Mark, it does take two weeks to build antibodies. In the meantime- wash your hands, don't touch your face, stay hydrated and get rest.

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:22:36 PM
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU THIS YEAR?

by DONNA 1/9/2013 5:22:41 PM
Donna,

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:22:56 PM
Donna - symptoms include - runny nose, congested nose, fever, cough, body aches, sore throat

by Shibani Faehnle 1/9/2013 5:23:58 PM
UPSET STOMACH, ACHES?

by DONNA 1/9/2013 5:25:05 PM

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LIVE CHAT: Ask health official questions about flu outbreak

Join our chat with Cuyahoga County Board of Health's Cindy Modie who will answer your questions about the flu outbreak. She will be in the chat from noon to 3 p.m.

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