Posted on November 9, 2020 at 6:14 pm by Clay Curtin
COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind – but don’t forget that flu season is here too. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get a flu shot every year. Because there’s no vaccine for COVID-19 yet, it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot. This will help prevent getting both viruses at the same time and could help keep you out of the hospital.
People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
While the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, it is especially important for pregnant women, children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes. People who live in the same household with someone at high risk can help protect that person from severe flu by getting a flu shot.
Why should you get a flu shot every year?
It is important to get a new flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine offers protection for many months, but not forever. Also, the strains of influenza circulating in the community change over time, and the current vaccine offers protection against those strains. Flu vaccination can prevent illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Getting a flu shot may not totally prevent the disease, but it can lessen its effects and minimize your chances of getting seriously ill and being hospitalized.
Health officials advise individuals to take the following steps to protect themselves and loved ones from flu:
- Get the flu vaccine every year
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover your cough and sneezes
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home when they are sick
- Wear a face covering and maintain at least a six-foot distance from others in public settings
