Influenza is a common illness affecting milions of people each year. Influenza, commonly known as the "flu", is a contagious disease caused by influenza viruses. An influenza epidemic usually begins during the late fall and winter seasons but may continue through the end of April.
Influenza usually comes on quite suddenly. Some of the flu symptoms may be: fever, headache, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. Hand washing may help you reduce the risk of being infected. It is wise to wash your hands after being in contact with persons who have the flu or when you may have touched contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs, shopping carts, etc.
Flu viruses have the capability of changing from year to year. Therefore, it is important to get your flu shot each fall. The flu vaccine does not contain a live virus so it cannot cause influenza. There are only a few side effects of the flu vaccine. You may experience mild arm soreness at the place of the injection; Some experience a fever or fatigue for 6 to 12 hours.
A flu vaccine can be given to persons over 6 month of age. It is recommended by the FDA that this vaccine be given to anyone who wants to avoid the flu. College students should check with their campus health office when the flu vaccine will be available in their area. All adults should seriously consider getting their flu injections as early in the fall as possible. Persons in community service i.e. teachers, doctors, nurses, police and fire department personnel should all have annual flu shots. People at HIGHEST RISK include anyone with heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes or other blood disorders.
MAKE A PLAN TODAY TO GET YOUR 2008 FLU SHOT!
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