Protect Yourself From the Flu

Seasons—winter, spring, summer, fall—we all have our favorite time of year. But "flu" season? No one likes that! (And since when did the flu get its own season?) In the U.S., flu season usually runs from October through May. Unfortunately this is the time of year that people are at high risk for flu infections.

So what are you going to do about it? Suffer? Or get your flu shot, and have a healthy season? Choose health! The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that if you are 50 or older, you get a flu shot every year.

Know Your Flu Risk

According to the CDC, 200,000 people end up in the hospital every year because of the flu. And about 36,000 of them die. That is why getting a flu shot is so important. You are at increased risk for flu if you:

• are age 65 or older
• live or work in a nursing home or facilities where people are chronically ill
• have a chronic health problem like diabetes, kidney lungheart disease, anemia, blood disorders, or asthma
• have an illness like HIV/AIDS or get medical treatment, like chemotherapy, which weakens your immunity and keeps you from fighting infections
• are a healthcare worker
• take care of or live with someone in a high-risk group 

Recognize Flu Symptoms

The flu is an infection. Symptoms may include a fever, chills, body aches, a dry cough, and sometimes a sore throat or runny nose. You might also feel extremely tired. Check with your doctor if you are not sure if you have a cold or the flu.

How the Flu Spreads

Flu viruses can pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth. You can catch the flu if you're around an infected person who coughs or sneezes. You can also pick up flu germs from touching the same surface that someone with the flu has touched, like a telephone or doorknob. Passing the germs from your hand to your nose or mouth. You can avoid picking up some of the germs by washing your hands often and keeping them away from your nose and mouth.

Best Prevention

According to the CDC, A flu shot (or vaccine) can prevent between 70 percent and 90 percent of flu illnesses. You cannot get the flu by receiving a flu shot because the shot is made from killed viruses. Just remember that the flu shot will not prevent you from getting colds or other illnesses.

It takes about two weeks for the shot to start protecting you against the flu.

A flu shot is safe for most people. However, some people, like those who are allergic to eggs, shouldn't get it since the flu shot contains egg protein. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure whether to get the shot.

Where To Get a Flu Shot?

You can get a flu shot at your doctor's office or a local clinic. Sometimes you can get one where you work. Supermarkets and drugstores also offer flu shots in many communities. If there are delays getting the shot in your community, be sure to get one as soon as it becomes available.

Find where to get a flu shot in your area using the flu shot locator at http://flucliniclocator.org/. Another alternative is to call the CDC hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for help.

The flu can be a serious illness. Take action to protect yourself. Get a flu shot. Prevention is the best medicine!