Have You Had Your Flu Shot?

It’s that time of year again. Along with festive holiday decorations and parties, you can expect something else to be going around – the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu season typically starts in October and can run as late as May, with the peak being between December and May.

A lot of people liken the flu to just being a bad cold, but it’s way more than that. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness that infects the upper respiratory tract (the nasal passage and throat) as well as the lower respiratory tract (the lungs). It can produce symptoms ranging from ear infections to multi-organ failure. Although it can be challenging to determine the exact annual number of deaths from the flu, thousands of people do die from it each year. Even though everybody can be susceptible to the virus, it usually affects the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and young children.

So what can you do to prevent the flu in yourself and your family? Doctors recommend that patients receive an annual flu vaccine beginning at age 6 months. There are certain people who shouldn’t receive the vaccine due to preexisting medical conditions, but that number is small, and if you are concerned, please consult with your doctor. The vaccine is formulated every year based on the predictions of the changing flu virus, which is why it is important to get an updated vaccine each year. While the vaccine is only roughly 50-60% effective in reducing the risk of the flu, that number is still significant. Even if you are vaccinated against the flu and still contract the virus, it is possible that the vaccine will help reduce the symptoms and duration of the illness. Additionally, the vaccine is crucial for what’s called community immunity, or herd immunity. When a large percentage of the community is immunized against the disease, the remaining members who can’t be vaccinated against it are protected since there is less opportunity for an outbreak.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, there are other preventative measures to take. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth (using your elbow, not your hand) when you cough or sneeze, and stay home if you feel yourself getting sick. Try to stick to a healthy diet and exercise, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, stop in to any of our convenient TrustCare locations!