The Importance of Flu Shots

North Country Health Nuggets

The Importance of Flu Shots

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe. While many people recover within a week or two, the flu can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death—especially for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions.

The best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others is to receive an annual flu vaccine. Because influenza viruses change from year to year, the vaccine is updated annually to provide protection against the strains expected to circulate during the upcoming flu season.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop antibodies that help protect against influenza. For this reason, it is recommended that most people 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine before flu activity begins to increase in their community. Getting vaccinated in September or October is ideal for most people, but vaccination later in the season can still provide protection.

Although a flu vaccine cannot guarantee you won't get sick, it can reduce your risk of illness and make symptoms milder if you do become infected. Vaccination also lowers the risk of serious complications, hospitalization, and missed days of work or school.

In addition to vaccination, you can help prevent the spread of influenza by:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home when you are ill until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

If you are at higher risk for flu complications or develop severe symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or signs of dehydration—contact your healthcare provider promptly.  Antiviral medications may help reduce the severity and duration of illness when started early.

Vaccines protect not only the person receiving them but also infants, older adults, people undergoing cancer treatment, and others with weakened immune systems who may be unable to receive certain vaccines or may not respond as well to them.  If you have questions or concerns about the flu or any vaccine talk to your health care provider or contact your local public health office.  We are here to help you.  Here are some reliable sources of information available on the internet:  HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Submitted by: North Country Community Health Services and Beltrami County Community Health Services- www.ncchb.org or www.co.beltrami.mn.us/services/public-health/ or find us on Facebook-North Country Community Health Services

(Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods Public Health)