Avoid the Dreadful Flu This Season!

In the 31 flu seasons between 1976 and 2007, the reported deaths from the flu virus have ranged from 3,000 to 49,000. That means in one season alone, there were 49,000 flu-related deaths! That number is staggering considering most of those probably could have been prevented by one simple solution: the flu shot.

Team PPC wants to remind, or rather urge, you to get your flu shot this season! The influenza virus affects everyone differently. This means, for one person, it could just cause one sick day, but for the next person who catches it from them, it could mean a hospital stay. The influenza virus is especially dangerous to young children and the elderly (65+).

Nowadays, there are two different ways you can receive the flu vaccine: nasal spray or traditional shot. They both protect you the same way, but the side effects are a bit different. You can read up on those on the CDC website.

Even though everyone older than six months is able to get the flu vaccine, it is not necessarily recommended for everyone. There are certain markers that the flu vaccine is not a great choice, which include age, health, and allergies. Again, a full list of these traits are found on the CDC website.

Flu season can last as early as October until as late as May. Since the flu vaccine takes up to two weeks before it starts protecting your system, there’s never been a better time to get the vaccine than now. The earlier you receive it, the earlier you, and everyone around you, are protected.

Photo Courtesy of Dreamstime by Altholpady.