Influenza or “flu” season is right around the corner and this is the perfect time to get your flu shot. Luckily, your Bremo and Henrico Pharmacists are here to help! Beginning in October, we will be offering Flu Shots for everyone.
For some people, the flu can be very dangerous. Both children and adults can get the flu and it causes sickness in about 20% of the world’s population every year. Health problems from by the flu can cause more than 200,000 people each year to have to go the hospital. About 10% of the deaths that happen during flu season (October – May) are directly related to the flu. Flu spreads quickly from person to person, especially in schools, long term care facilities, and other places where people have close contact. Serious illness from the flu is more common in people that are very young, elderly, and people with certain health problems like poor nutrition, asthma, and other lung diseases.
People that have the flu usually experience symptoms like fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, cough, and sore throat that can last for 2 to 5 days or even longer. In some people, the flu can cause other sicknesses. A common sickness that may start with the flu is pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that is more common in people over 65 years old, residents of long term care facilities, or those with other illnesses like diabetes or conditions affecting the heart or lungs.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu shot. However, hand washing is also another helpful way to help minimize the spread of the flu. Proper hand washing before eating and after using the bathroom or visiting public places plays an important role in preventing the spread of the flu virus.
The virus changes from year to year. This means that it is important for you to get vaccinated every year to decrease your chance of illness from the flu. It is also important to get the flu shot every year even if you have never had the flu. Don’t worry, the flu shot will not make you get the flu! In fact, people that don’t get the flu shot get sick more often and even get sicker than the people that get the flu shot. The side effects of the flu shot are usually related to the injection or “shot” itself. Common side effects include soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, low fever, or mild aches lasting 1 or 2 days.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone who wants to decrease their chances of getting the flu. See if you fit into any of the categories below, if so, you too should be vaccinated.
- All persons, including children 6 months of age and over, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others.
- Persons aged 50 years or more
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house persons of any age who have long-term illnesses;
- Adults and children 6 months of age or older who have chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;
- Adults and children 6 months of age or older who have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system.
- Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are on long-term aspirin therapy and therefore could develop Reye Syndrome after the flu.
- Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.
- Health-care personnel;
Remember people that have severe allergies to eggs or have had a severe reaction to a flu shots in the past should talk to their doctor or pharmacist before getting the flu shot. People that are sick or have a cold are asked to wait until they feel better before getting flu shots.
Now through November is the best time of the year to get your flu shot, however vaccination can extend into December and January. Usually, we recommend that you should get the vaccination before the peak of flu season. Just as a reminder, Medicare covers flu shots as a benefit. If you have any questions about the flu shot call your Bremo or Henrico pharmacist today at 288-8361.
