Have you had your flu shot yet? If not, you ought to. The best way to lower your risk of getting the flu is to get vaccinated. Millions of people contract the flu each year. The majority of people who get the flu miss weeks of work or school. Some are in the hospital. Some get serious diseases. The flu can be fatal in some cases.
Who ought to get the flu shot? Except for infants under six months of age and individuals who are allergic to the flu vaccine or any of its components, everyone should get the vaccine. Before getting the flu shot, sick people should wait until they are healthy.
Are you still not sold? Find out how a flu shot can keep you and your family flu-free this year in the following paragraphs.
What is the flu?
A respiratory infection is the flu. The flu can cause mild to severe symptoms. It can knock you out for weeks and is much worse than a cold. This contagious illness has the following symptoms:
A fever, chills, a cough, muscle pain, headaches, a stuffy or runny nose, a sore throat, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting are all symptoms of the flu. However, certain populations, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals who have particular medical conditions, are particularly susceptible to serious flu complications.
The good news is that getting vaccinated every year can lower both your risk of contracting the flu and your likelihood of passing it on to family members. Do you need any more proof?
Why You Should Get a Flu Shot
Is getting a flu shot a surefire way to avoid getting the flu? Sadly, there are so many flu strains and the way they change each year that a single vaccine cannot protect against all flu viruses. However, even if you do get the flu, research shows that getting vaccinated reduces the risk of serious complications and related illnesses.
If you still aren’t convinced that everyone in your family needs to get the flu shot every year, here are some more things to think about:
It prevents deaths
It reduces a child’s risk of death from the flu by a significant amount, according to a 2017 study.
Viruses change
Because viruses evolve over time, the flu vaccine you received last year may not protect you from this year’s strains. Additionally, the flu vaccine’s protective effects diminish over time, so getting one every year is your best bet.
Protects infants
During the first few months of life, when infants are too young to receive a flu vaccine, a flu vaccine not only protects pregnant women, but it also protects their unborn children.
Protects other members of the family
Because the flu vaccine does not prevent all cases of the flu, everyone in your family should get vaccinated to lower their risk.
Alternate Ways Of lessening Your Gamble of Getting Seasonal influenza
While influenza shot is your smartest option to guarantee that you don’t get influenza, there are different safeguards you can take to additionally safeguard yourself and your family against this possibly risky contamination. Here are some:
Make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Drink plenty of fluids. Reduce or manage your stress. Avoid people who are sick. For more information about why, when, and where to get a flu shot, call Danvers Family Doctors, P.C. in Danvers, Massachusetts, or schedule an appointment online.