Fighting the Flu

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Holiday gatherings are beginning to ramp up — and so is the flu. According to the Maricopa County Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, the number of people infected with the flu has been rapidly increasing every week since the flu season officially began September 28. While numbers are trending down from last year and the five-year seasonal average, flu cases are expected to peak in mid to late December.

Whether you’re getting together with family and friends, attending a school event, shopping at the mall, or participating in any activity with people, you’re likely to encounter the flu virus.

Here are some tips for staying healthy:

  • Get a flu vaccine: The flu shot is the primary way to prevent the flu and can also reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick. Keep in mind it takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective so be extra cautious until your body has built up its defenses against the flu.
  • Wash your hands frequently: Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available. Make it a point to wash your hands every time you get home from an outing.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue and throw it away immediately, or cough/sneeze into your elbow. 
  • Avoid touching your face: Germs can spread when you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. 
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean high-traffic areas and objects like doorknobs, phones, and keyboards. Antibacterial wipes are an easy tool to keep handy for daily wipe-downs of high-traffic places.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people: Maintain distance from those who are ill. 
  • Consider wearing a mask: Masks can add an extra layer of protection for both yourself and others. 

Remember that while most people are only down with the flu for a few days, people with chronic medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, a weakened immune system and other illnesses can become very sick and even die from the flu. Taking steps to protect yourself from becoming ill helps stop the virus from spreading. If you do become infected, continue to follow the tips above to prevent others from getting sick. You may also want to visit your healthcare provider to discuss antiviral medication to lessen symptoms and reduce the time you are sick.

If you think you might have the flu or would like to get vaccinated, call 480-882-4545 to schedule an appointment or request one online.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Flu Shots

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It’s time for the flu to begin making its rounds again with many people scrambling to get their updated dose of the flu vaccine. If you ask around, you’ll find that individual opinions vary on when and if to get the flu shot, however medical professionals advise everyone six months and older, with rare exceptions, should get the seasonal flu vaccine each year.

Pros of Getting a Flu Shot

1. Reduces Your Risk of Getting Sick

The flu shot helps prevent you from getting the flu. It’s updated every year to match the latest and most common flu strains. When it’s a good match, it can lower your risk of getting sick by 40% to 60%.

2. Makes the Flu Less Severe

Even if you get the flu after your shot, your symptoms are usually much milder. The vaccine can help keep you out of the hospital and lower your chance of serious problems.

3. Protects the People Around You

Getting vaccinated protects people who can’t get the shot themselves, like babies under 6 months or people with weak immune systems. When you’re protected, you’re less likely to pass the flu to them.

4. Helps People with Health Conditions

People with chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma are at higher risk for flu complications. The flu shot can help prevent a small illness from becoming a major health problem.

5. Protects Pregnant Women and Their Babies

Pregnant women who get a flu shot pass some of that protection to their baby, keeping them safe for several months after birth.

6. Eases the Load on Our Healthcare System

Each flu shot helps lower the number of people going to urgent care or the hospital. This frees up space and resources for other patients.

7. Flu Shots are Made for All Ages

  • Kids six months and older should get a flu shot.
  • Children under eight getting the flu shot for the first time need two doses, four weeks apart.
  • Adults 65 and older can get a high-dose flu shot designed to give extra protection.

Cons of Getting a Flu Shot

While the flu shot is safe for most people, there are a few things to consider:

1. Mild Side Effects

Many people feel tired and/or sore afyer receiceing their flu vaccination but symptoms usually go away in a day or two. Other side effects may include:

  • Redness or swelling at the shot site
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea

2. It’s Not Always a Perfect Match

Flu viruses change every year. Sometimes, the shot doesn’t match the main flu strains very well. Even then, it can still make your illness less serious if you get sick.

3. Protection Fades Over Time

The flu vaccine only lasts for one season. That’s why you need a new shot every year.

4. Very Rare Serious Reactions

Serious reactions like an allergic response or Guillain-Barré Syndrome are extremely rare. In fact, your risk of these issues is higher from becoming infected by the flu itself than from the vaccine.

5. Feeling “Off” for a Day

Some people feel tired or a little sick after the shot. This is your immune system doing its job. You can’t catch the flu from the vaccine.

Final Thoughts

Almost everyone over six months old should get a flu shot every year. If you have egg allergies, talk to your doctor—there are egg-free options. The only people who should not get the vaccine are infants under six months or those who have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu shot or its ingredients.

The flu shot is safe, fast, and a smart way to protect yourself and others. With flu cases rising, getting vaccinated helps you stay healthy and avoid serious problems.

Ready to Schedule Your Flu Shot?

To schedule your flu shot, simply request an appointment with your NOAH provider or call 480-882-4545. Let’s fight the flu together—one shot at a time.

It’s Time For Your Flu Shot

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Flu season typically runs from October through February every year. One of the best ways to stay healthy is with the vaccine anytime during the flu season.

Flu symptoms include:

  • fever
  • fatigue
  • sore throat
  • body aches

5 common questions about the flu vaccine

  1. Can I get the flu shot? Everyone over the age of 6 months is eligible for the flu vaccine. This includes special populations such as pregnant women, adults with chronic health conditions, and those over 65 years old. Exceptions to the flu vaccine are very limited, and include children less than 6 months old and those who had severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine. You may have heard that those with egg allergies cannot get the flu shot, but the CDC recommends that these individuals still get the vaccine, but they may need to be monitored briefly afterward in a healthcare setting for allergic symptoms. There are also egg-free vaccines available.
  2. Why do I have to get the flu shot every year? The influenza virus changes year to year, so the flu vaccine you got last year likely will not protect you from the specific strain that is widespread this year. Researchers develop vaccines that will fight this year’s particular strain of the virus to maximize your protection. In addition, your immunity decreases over time so getting the vaccine annually helps build up your immunity again.
  3. When should I get the vaccine? The influenza virus is seasonal, typically starting in mid-October and peaking in winter. Your body will produce sufficient antibodies within two weeks after getting the vaccine. This is why the CDC recommends getting your flu shot sometime between September and late October. However, it’s never too late to get one, even past October. Flu shots will continue to be available well into winter and can protect you from the remainder of the flu season.
  4. Why do I feel like I have the flu after getting the shot? The flu vaccine contains an inactivated strain of the virus, meaning it cannot cause the flu but it does trigger your body’s immune response. This can result in body aches or a low-grade fever, but these symptoms are significantly less severe than those caused by the actual flu virus and resolve in 1-2 days, if present at all.
  5. How will the flu season be affected by COVID? Getting the flu shot is important every year, but especially with COVID still present in the community. With the risk of COVID, the flu and RSV, it is even more important to protect yourself by being vaccinated against the flu and reducing the risk of hospitalization this winter. The flu shot will not make you more or less susceptible to COVID since the viruses are completely separate.

Getting vaccinated not only helps protect you but also helps protect your community and ease the burden on hospitals and the healthcare industry. Flu shots are currently available at NOAH clinics, so schedule an appointment today.

5 Things to Know for Flu Season 2022-2023

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Flu season is around the corner and NOAH is ready to keep you and your family protected. We know that with COVID there might be additional questions about the virus, symptoms, and the vaccines. NOAH has you covered with these top five things to know about flu season.

1. Flu Season is Almost Here

Flu season officially starts in October and can last through May of the following year. But the peak of flu usually happens around December through March with February being the month that often has the most flu cases nationwide.

2. Try These Safety Measures Stop the Flu

Many of the things we continue to do to slow or stop the spread of COVID like extra hand washing, more antibacterial gels and wipes, staying home when sick, and wearing masks (especially if sneezing or coughing), will help reduce the flu as well!

3. The Flu Vaccine Helps

Every year, flu shot manufacturers identify the strains of influenza A and B that pose the most risk for the coming season. Flu shots also include H1N1, and because of flu shots, H1N1 isn’t causing outbreaks anymore. Flu shots are adjusted every year with new influenza (flu) strains because it mutates like all viruses.  

4. Flu Shots are Optimized by Age Group

Children are a high-risk group with flu so anyone 6 months and older should get the flu shot. When children under eight are getting the flu vaccine for the first time ever, they will need to have two doses, given four weeks apart. The following flu seasons will be just one dose.

A high-dose flu vaccine made specifically to support the more fragile immune system of people ages 65 and up is also available during flu season.

5. Flu Shots and COVID Shots Can Go Together

The CDC says that it is safe to get the flu and COVID vaccines/boosters at the same time.  If you have any concerns about potential side effects or changes in effectiveness of the vaccines if given together we suggest talking to your NOAH provider to come up with a vaccine plan that is right for you. NOAH is administering bivalent COVID boosters along with flu vaccines in all of our health centers.

Almost everyone can and should get the flu shot every year. Even people with egg allergies can talk with their healthcare providers about egg-free vaccine options. The only people who shouldn’t get vaccinated for the flu are patients under 6 months old or someone with history of an anaphylactic reaction to the flu shot or one of its components.

The CDC has a lot of information about flu season including updated flu cases and vaccine activity on their website here. If you have questions about the flu vaccine or want to schedule your appointment, contact NOAH today!

What You Should Know About the HPV Vaccine

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HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a common but often misunderstood infection that impacts millions of people globally. It’s one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and can lead to serious health problems, like certain types of cancer. Learning more about HPV can help people understand why getting vaccinated is so crucial in fighting against its spread and the diseases it can cause.

HPV Vaccine

Vaccines save lives in many ways, but the HPV vaccine and the virus it prevents is a little different.

What is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is a sexually transmitted infection and is extremely common. Almost everyone will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives. Typically, if you are exposed, your body will fight off the virus easily. But when that doesn’t happen, HPV can lead to cancer later in life. In fact, HPV is responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancer cases.

The two- or three-part HPV vaccine (depending on your age) is given to preteens and is covered by most insurance, including Medicaid/AHCCCS. If the patient is VFC eligible (18 years and younger with certain insurance criteria such as AHCCCS/no insurance/etc.), vaccinations are provided at no cost at NOAH.

Why is this vaccine so important?

The HPV vaccine provides coverage for nine strains of HPV which are linked to cervical cancer, anal cancers, and mouth cancers. Getting this vaccine protects against HPV and decreases the risk of future cancer. HPV vaccine is essentially a cancer vaccine.

Why does this vaccine start at 11?  

HPV vaccines can start as young as age 9, but according to the American Cancer Society, preteens have the best immune response with this vaccine, and the vaccine works best when given before someone is exposed to the virus. If the vaccines don’t start until age 15, they will need three doses instead of two. Vaccines can be given up to age 26.

Both males and females need the HPV vaccine because it protects you and your partners from getting or passing the virus. It also prevents genital warts and some cancers which both males and females can get.

What if you are 26 years and older?

The vaccine is now approved up to age 45, but it is less effective after age 18. Discuss this with your doctor if you are interested. Most sexually active adults have been exposed to some, but probably not all, strains of HPV. If you haven’t received the vaccine and are over 26, the best way to prevent these types of cancers is regular physicals and screenings with your NOAH provider.

Are Your Vaccines Up to Date?

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If you’re a parent you’ve likely discussed vaccinations on a regular basis with your child’s healthcare provider. Schools and other youth programs may have even required proof of vaccination prior to your child attending.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

As we get older and focus on other priorities when we visit our healthcare providers, it’s easy for vaccinations to fall off the radar, but immunization benefits older people too. Vaccines can prevent infection-related cancers caused by viruses like hepatitis and HPV, and protect the health of the working population, the elderly, and others who may be more prone to, or experience severe complications from, infection. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a handy tool for children and a handy tool for adults to determine which vaccines you should consider based on your age and risk factors. This can be a great starting point and reminder to discuss vaccines with your healthcare provider.

Why Should You Get Vaccinated?

While getting vaccinated against infectious disease is sometimes a personal choice, there’s proof that immunization saves lives and protects people’s health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the death rate for children under the age of five worldwide declined by almost 25% between 2010 and 2017. Measles vaccines alone prevented 25.5 million deaths since 2000 and polio vaccines have brought cases down by over 99% in the last 35 years. We’re fortunate to have had access to these vaccines in the United States for decades but many underdeveloped countries experience limited vaccine availability and use due to lack of funding and proper education.    

Your Choice to Get Vaccinated Affects Others

With COVID, we all experienced and continue to live with the disruptive and costly effects of a worldwide pandemic. With the development and distribution of a vaccine to prevent the spread of COVID, our children have gone back to school, social events and travel have resumed and the number of people losing their lives to COVID has been greatly reduced. It didn’t happen overnight and we only began to see significant changes once a large percentage of the population was vaccinated. Establishing wide-spread immunity is critical to fighting infectious disease so those choosing to not get vaccinated can affect everyone’s chance of survival.

In recognition of August as National Immunization Awareness Month, NOAH urges you to make time to review the vaccination recommendations for yourself and your family and consult with your healthcare provider about any questions or concerns you may have. And if vaccination is right for you, take a step toward protecting yourself and others by getting vaccinated.

Click or call 480-882-4545 to schedule an appointment to discuss with your healthcare provider.

Get COVID Testing at NOAH’s FastTrack

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NOAH offers FastTrack COVID testing at several health center locations. These FastTrack appointments are drive-up and only take a few minutes, making them easy for patients. Results are typically provided in about 24 hours.

The NOAH FastTrack testing does NOT require a separate telehealth or in-person provider appointment. However, a FastTrack testing appointment must be scheduled in advance, we cannot accommodate walk-in patients for this service. New and existing patients can schedule appointments at the location and time the works for best for them. Some same-day appointments may be available.

How FastTrack works:

  1. Request a COVID Test either online or by calling 480-882-4545.
  2. Show up to the NOAH Health Center at your scheduled time.
  3. Receive testing by a member of NOAH’s team.
  4. NOAH will contact you by phone with your test results (response time may vary but is usually within 24 hours).
  5. Your test results may also appear on your MyChart account.

The FastTrack test is a PCR test, which stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction. These tests are highly accurate and processed by our lab, Sonora Quest Labs. While the FastTrack test is not the same as an at-home test, patients receiving a FastTrack test at NOAH will receive a FREE at-home test kit (contains two tests) for future testing – while supplies last.

If you would like to talk with your healthcare provider prior to scheduling a COVID test, please schedule a telehealth or other type of appointment by requesting an appointment online, calling 480-882-4545, or message your provider through MyChart.

Each FastTrack test MUST have a separate appointment, even if patients – such as family members – plan to drive together. Please schedule all FastTrack COVID tests together if you plan to bring multiple people for testing.

For other questions around COVID and vaccines, visit NOAHhelps.org/COVID.

Flu Vaccines Myth vs. Fact

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By Leslie Shelton, DO | Heuser Family Medicine Resident, PGY-I

There has been a lot of talk about vaccines lately. It can be confusing! So, let’s talk about some information about the flu vaccine and if it’s fact or myth.

“The flu vaccine gives you the flu.” – MYTH

The flu vaccine is a dead form of the virus – it can not make more of itself inside the body. The possible side effects of most vaccines include fever, muscle aches and fatigue and that can be confusing because they are also symptoms of the flu. But it does not mean you have the flu, it just means you received a vaccine and your body is preparing for the possible future.

“The flu vaccine changes every year.” – TRUTH

As the flu virus makes its way across the world, it is constantly changing and evolving. Based on years and years of data, the flu vaccine is altered every year to protect against the most likely strains of flu in the coming year.

“I got the flu vaccine and I still got the flu, so it does not work.” – MYTH

A vaccine is not a magic bullet against getting an infection in the future (but that would be nice)! Instead, it helps make sure that IF you do get sick, your body is much better prepared to fight it so you do not get as ill as you may have without the vaccine.

“Kids should get the flu shot.” – TRUTH

Any person 6 months of age or older should get the yearly flu vaccine. For those who are around infants younger than 6 months, it is even MORE important to be vaccinated to help protect them.

“I am allergic to eggs, so I cannot get the flu vaccine.” – MYTH

This used to be true, but not any longer! The making of the flu vaccine has changed to be egg-free so that it is now safe to give to people with egg allergies.

Want More Info?

Test your knowledge with 5 Myths About the Flu Vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO) and get Key Facts About the Seasonal Flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you have any questions about the flu vaccine, the doctors and pharmacists in your community would be more than happy to answer them. NOAH has also compiled 5 Things to Know for Flu Season specific to the 2021/2022 season. We are all in this together, so let’s prevent the flu!

NEWS: COVID Vaccines for Children Age 5 – 11 at NOAH

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The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in children ages 5 to 11. NOAH has the vaccine available to begin scheduling COVID vaccines for children and is kicking this off with a vaccine event on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at NOAH Palomino Health Center.

The approval came after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was studied in approximately 3,100 children. The study shows the vaccine to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5 through 11 and there were no serious side effects found during the study.

While the same vaccine, the dosage children 5 to 11 will receive is 1/3 the dose those 12 and older receive. The second dose of the vaccine will be 21 days after the first dose. NOAH will schedule the second dose appointment when patients schedule the first dose for their child.

More Questions About COVID Vaccines for Children?

NOAH has put together some of the most common questions about COVID vaccines for children.

COVID Vaccine Q&A Age 5-11

Schedule An Appointment

Parents or guardians of patients ages 5 to 11 can request a vaccine appointment at NOAH. The first vaccine opportunity is:

Request a Vaccine Appointment

COVID-19 vaccines are free, and no insurance is required. For individuals under 18, parental consent is required. ID is required for parent or guardian and can include any government-issued ID.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or the vaccines, NOAH has answers here, or you can make an appointment to talk to your healthcare provider.