Flu Hotline: 970-498-6706
2007-2008 season - Flu vaccines available beginning October 15 at all County health department sites! Read further for information on times and locations.
Seasonal flu is a form of influenza ("the flu") that occurs yearly. It is a contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It can show up as a mild illness or can result in complications that are serious and debilitating. Complications of seasonal flu result in over 36,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
Seasonal flu usually comes to Larimer County in late October and peaks in February. Though flu commonly ends by early spring, it can show up as late as May.
Seasonal flu is not the same as pandemic flu or bird flu. For information on pandemic flu or bird flu, go to www.larimerflu.org
For information on seasonal flu, flu vaccine and Larimer County Health Department flu immunizations, click on the links below:
As of October 15, 2007, we are well supplied with flu vaccine
The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment will begin administering flu vaccine to adults and children at its immunization clinics in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park beginning Monday, October 15, 2007. The Estes Park clinic will also administer flu vaccine for adults at the Estes Park Medical Center Health Fair on October 20, 2007. There should be no shortage of flu vaccine this year throughout Larimer County.
Flu shots at the Health Department for adults cost $30. Flu vaccinations for children 18 and under are $14.50. We have a limited supply of flu mist (nasal spray vaccine). Cost is $36. Flu mist is not appropriate for all people. (see below). We will accept Medicare, Medicaid and Secure Horizons. Please note that we will only accept cash or check; no credit cards.
The best time to receive a flu shot is mid October through January. However, it is not too late to receive a flu shot as late as February. Persons at high risk for complications of the flu should try to receive the shot by November (see below).
As of October 15, 2007, you can receive your flu shot at any of the Larimer County Health Department clinics:
Fort Collins
1525 Blue Spruce Drive
498-6700
Monday: 9:00 am - noon; 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Tuesday: Children Only Clinic 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - noon
Saturday: Third Sat. of every month , 9:00 am - noon
Loveland
205 East 6th Street
679-4580
There are no clinics held the first Wednesday of each month.
Monday: 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - noon
Weds: Second Wednesday of each month, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
On Wednesday, November 14 only, the immunization clinic in Loveland will extend its hours and be open from 2:30 pm until 6 pm.
Estes Park
1601 Brodie Avenue
(970) 577-2050
Flu shots will be available beginning Saturday, October 20 at the Estes Park Medical Center's Health Fair. After that, shots will be available at the regularly scheduled walk-in hours:
Mondays 1 pm - 4 pm and Wednesdays 9 am -12 noon.
There are no clinics held on the first Wednesday of each month.
Flu vaccinations are also available through your health care provider, through the Health District of Northern Larimer County and through multiple other sites throughout Larimer County. Check these internet sites to find other vaccination clinic locations, times, and prices:
This year, the Health Department is stressing the importance of flu shots for women who will be pregnant during flu season, as well as parents or household members of children under 6 months of age. It has been shown that women who contract the flu while pregnant are at higher risk of serious complications. Also, infants cannot be vaccinated before 6 months, so it's also important that the parents, other household members, and child care providers are vaccinated so they don't transmit flu to the baby.
Flu vaccines are recommended for:
Flu vaccine is encouraged for:
Who should not get a flu shot:
If you are unsure whether or not you should get a flu vaccination, talk to your health care provider or call the Flu Hotline at 498-6706.
Symptoms of the flu
The flu attacks the nose, throat and lungs, but is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches which are sometimes severe.
Complications of the flu
Complications caused by the flu can result in very serious extended illness or even death in weakened individuals. Complications include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as heart problems, asthma or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
Each year, more than 200,000 people may be hospitalized from complications of the flu. Up to 36,000 people die each year from these complications.
How to Know if You Have the Flu
Your respiratory illness might be the flu if you have sudden onset of body aches, fever, and respiratory symptoms, and your illness occurs during November through April (the usual flu season in the Northern Hemisphere). However, during this time, other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms and flu can be caught at any time of the year. It is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms alone. Doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu if you are in the first few days of your illness.
The myth of the "stomach flu"
Many people use the term "stomach flu" to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or "sick to your stomach" can sometimes be related to the flu - particularly in children - these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.
How flu spreads
The flu spreads in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
A person who is infected can spread the flu to others beginning a day or more before getting symptoms, and up to 7 days after getting sick. That means that you can give someone the flu before you know you're sick as well as while you are sick.
Receiving an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those close to you. Your flu shot from last year will not protect you from the flu this year. You must receive a flu shot yearly since the virus changes from year to year. This year's vaccine is made to work against the flu strain that is most likely to circulate this year.
Flu virus is spread by droplets from the nose and throat. The virus can stay alive on surfaces such as door handles, desks, faucets, and shared towels. Wash your hands often throughout the day with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand wash.
Cough and sneeze into your elbow rather than into your hands. Discard used tissues in the trash. Again, wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, and handling used tissue.
It is not admirable for you to show up for work when you have the flu. You are doing nobody a favor. You are merely spreading your illness to your co-workers.
It's always important to practice healthy lifestyle habits to keep your body strong and ready to fight disease at all times. Healthy eating, exercise, quitting smoking, having a yearly check-up and staying current on your immunizations can go a long way toward keeping you healthy.
Caution! Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu
Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms - and particularly fever - without first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.