It’s that time of year again, flu season. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get the flu shot in October or November or when the flu begins to spread in your area. Over 100 varieties of the flu have been discovered with new evolutions each year, but the first and best defense against the flu is the shot.
The Flu
If more people get the flu shot, fewer people will actually get the flu. If people aren’t getting sick from the flu, it makes it harder for the flu to spread. Influenza is extremely unpredictable from year to year. The flu is highly contagious making it easily spread and it’s dangerous to the population. Fevers, sore throats and stuffy noses are common symptoms of the influenza virus. The flu shot does a great job at stopping the spread of the virus, protecting more than 60% of the population.
Complications
Around 20% of the population gets the flu each year. It’s a scary virus that changes and mutates each and every year making it unstable. Complications from the flu can vary from subtle to the extreme. Usually, the symptoms are minor but can lead to pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. Last year, over 100 children died from the flu.
The elderly, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at high risk for complications from the flu. It’s super important that these individuals get flu shots each year to protect them from suffering from complications. This will also keeps you protected and provides an extra layer of defense against the flu virus.
Fake News
Many rumors surround the world of vaccinations. Some worry that the vaccine will actually cause the flu itself. Others are concerned that the side effects are more dangerous than the virus.
Most flu vaccines are made from dead or inactive viruses. They are extremely safe to get and people are highly encouraged to get the shot each year. Some wonder if they need to get it every year and the answer is always yes. You never know what strain has emerged that year and being protected is the best way to keep a strong defense.
The flu can cause nasty symptoms that can invade the body and cause more damage when secondary bacterial infections arise. The flu shot prevents the flu from getting into the body in the first place, keeping you safe. The only reported complications from the flu shot is soreness near the injection site and a slight fever.
Best Months
Get a flu shot at the first sign of the influenza virus in your area (this is typically around October and November. The flu vaccine begins to work within two weeks of entering the body. Everyone over the age of 6 months should get the vaccine at this time unless a doctor advises not to get the shot.
Children, under the age of 8, receiving their first flu shot require two doses over four weeks, meaning they need to start getting shots early. Everyone else should schedule their flu shot during months of October and November. Many clinics, hospitals, and drug stores promote flu vaccine events where you can get your shot.
Not Too Late
If you miss the October and November window for flu shots, don’t freak out, the flu vaccine shot is usually available all the way up to the spring. Remember that the virus takes two weeks to kick in, so if you’re already sick, chances are that you’ll be over the flu before the virus works. Keep your community safe by getting the influenza shot as early as possible. If you find yourself deep into the season, it’s ok to hop on the bandwagon late.
Still Sick?
One of the major criticisms of the flu vaccine is that you can still get sick during the flu season. The flu vaccine can protect you against known flu strains and certain mutations. Seasonal flu can still wreak havoc on a community and cause many to wonder if the flu vaccine even works. Rest assured that the flu vaccine is formulated each year to tackle what authorities believe to be the most likely strains to attack the population.
The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting influenza and seasonal flu. It can also reduce the chance of flu-associated hospitalization and symptoms if you do get the virus. The flu vaccine has proven time and time again to be the most effective way of reducing the massive spread of influenza throughout the country.
Protect yourself from the flu this year by getting the flu shot; you’re not only protecting yourself but others as well.
