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It is that time of year again to think about getting your flu shot. The flu season usually runs from November to April.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that can be mild to severe, or possibly deadly.
The flu usually comes on suddenly with the following "flu-like" symptoms:
High fever
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Dry cough
Runny/stuffy nose
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
For most people, the flu only lasts a few days, but for some it can lead to pneumonia and can be very dangerous if you have heart or breathing conditions. It can also cause high fevers and seizures in children.
The influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.
Who should get vaccinated?
All children 6 months to 5 years of age
Anyone 50 years of age or older
Women who will be pregnant during the flu season
Anyone with long-term health problems such as:
o Heart disease
o Kidney disease
o Lung disease
o Asthma
o Diabetes
o Anemia
Anyone with a weakened immune system
Residents of nursing homes
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Healthcare providers
Caregivers of:
o Children up to 5 years of age
o People 50 years and older
People living in dormitories or other crowded conditions
Anyone who wants to decrease the likelihood of contracting influenza or spreading it to others
When should you get vaccinated?
Try to get vaccinated in October or November if possible. This provides you with the best possible coverage since the flu season normally peaks in January or February.
What is the flu vaccine?
There are two types of influenza vaccine:
o This form is inactivated because the virus has been killed
o This is the "flu shot" that is injected into the muscle of your arm
o This form is made of broken strands of the virus
o This is the nasal spray vaccine
Which type of vaccine should you get?
o Children 6 months to 5 years
o Adults 50 years or older
o People with long-term health problems
o Anyone with a weakened immune system
o Pregnant women
o Healthy people age 5 to 49 who are not pregnant
Talk to your doctor if:
You have a severe egg allergy, or
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are allergic to any other component of the influenza vaccine
You had a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccination
You are moderately or severely ill
You ever had a severe paralytic illness known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome
What are the risks of vaccination?
The influenza vaccine has a very small chance of causing serious harm or death. The "flu shot" is composed of viruses that have been killed, so you cannot get influenza from the vaccine. However, you may experience:
Mild problems such as fever, aches and redness at the injection site usually last only 1 to 2 days.
Severe problems such as allergic reactions and behavioral changes are extremely rare, but usually happen very quickly after receiving the flu shot.
If you experience a high fever, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hoarseness, hives, dizziness, or behavioral changes, get to your doctor as soon as possible.
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