Flu Shots Play a Key Role in Preventing Staph Infections
Posted on October 23, 2007
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Flu season is here, and the medical community is advising the public that flu vaccines are more important than ever. Not only can flu shots decrease the risk of contracting influenza – they may actually reduce the risk of staph infections, including virulent strains like methicillin-resistant staph (MRSA).
Symptoms of the flu, like coughing and sneezing, can irritate the throat and breathing passages, opening the bloodstream and lungs to invasive staph bacteria. When entering the already weakened systems of flu patients, staph infections may lead to serious complications like pneumonia, according to a WSJ interview with infectious-disease specialist Jason Newland.
The combination of flu and MRSA can have results that range from debilitating to lethal. Bone infections are a common complication, particularly in children, Dr. Octavio Ramilo of the UT Southwestern Medical Center pediatrics department told the Dallas News. He indicated that flu vaccinations could play an integral role in preventing such severe complications.
CDC officials say the flu season can begin in October, and some years, may last until May. October and November are the ideal times to obtain a flu shot and vaccines are particularly important for high risk groups, including the elderly and chronically ill, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Although avoiding the flu is a key step toward preventing MRSA infections, medical professionals caution that flu shots alone will not protect the public from lethal strains of staph. Good hygiene is the most critical step people can take to prevent MRSA and other staph infections.
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