Photo By Sgt. William Hill | Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Spade, the post command sergeant major, receives a flu shot...... read more read more
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – A battle is brewing, and while the enemy lies dormant it is preparing to launch an attack against every man, woman and child as the cold fall approaches. The chill in the air is a sign of the beginning of a war which will be fought inside the body, the beginning of flu season, but soldiers at Camp Atterbury will be prepared for such a battle.
Soldiers at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center are scheduled to receive mandatory flu shots or nasal vaccinations against the influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, starting next month.
Senior non-commissioned officers at Camp Atterbury united and led the front against the deadly virus by getting the flu vaccination, Sept. 27.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year between five percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population may become infected with the flu. Averages of 200,000 people were hospitalized with complications, and in severe cases it caused death.
During 2009 thru 2010 the flu virus, 2009 H1N1 spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. It is estimated that the H1N1 pandemic resulted in more than 12,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. according to CDC.
Staff Sgt. Mark Brunette, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Immunization Clinic at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, said it is vital, not only for soldiers, but for the mission that everyone receives a flu vaccination.
“It takes only one infected soldier to spread the flu, especially in the field, due to close quarters and using community items,” said Brunette.
There are preventive measures soldiers can take to reduce the spread of the flu virus.
“The most effective way to prevent the flu is for a soldier to get a flu vaccination, and wash their hands,” he said.
“Another preventive measure is to use proper coughing and sneezing techniques, by using your forearm or lifting your shirt to cover your mouth,” he said.
During training exercises some soldiers might share equipment causing the virus to spread.
“Soldiers should use the battle buddy system with equipment, monogamy of gear if you will, reducing the spread of the virus,” he said.
He said that mixing one part bleach and 10 parts water is a great solution to kill the virus, so wipe down equipment and door handles.
Getting vaccinated, washing hands and cleaning off door knobs before using them is a great start to prevent the spread of the flu virus but inevitably, it is up to the body’s immune system to defend off the flu.
“Proper nutrition and exercise helps raise the body’s immune system, which will be stronger and fight off invading viruses,” he said. “The body is attacked all the time by viruses and if you have a strong enough immune system you will not feel any symptoms.”
Symptoms of the flu virus are headaches, running or stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, body aches, fever, chills and or fatigue, similar to the common cold, but the flu is more severe in most cases, according to CDC.
On Aug. 10 , the World Health Organization, declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic globally.
The pandemic has been declared over but as the cold wind approaches so does the dreaded flu season once again.
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2010 15:30 |
| Story ID: | 57201 |
| Location: | CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Soldiers are Slated to Receive Flu Vaccination, by SGT William Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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