Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Winter 2019

dameronhospital.org 15 Flu facts FOR FLU SHOT INFORMATION at Dameron, call 209-944-5410 . FACT 1: Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. Anyone can get the flu, even people with perfect health. Even though people 65 and older are most at risk for complications from the flu, healthy children and adults can also end up getting the virus. FACT 2: Getting the flu can have serious consequences. If you get the flu, it could lead to complications and hospitalization. In some cases, it can even lead to death. FACT 3: The flu can be prevented. The best way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. Vaccinations have the power to reduce the annual number of deaths of elderly people drastically. FACT 4: The flu shot does not give you the flu. The flu vaccine is medically proven to be safe. It is made from dead influenza viruses—it cannot give you the flu. The most common side effects from a flu shot are a sore arm and maybe a low fever or achiness. If you have flu-like symptoms soon after the flu shot, it probably means you were infected or ill before the vaccine had a chance to take effect. FACT 5: Other viruses cause colds. A flu shot doesn't protect you from the common cold. That’s why it is essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands to help prevent the spread of germs. FACT 6: You must be vaccinated every year. The flu virus is continually changing, and every year the flu vaccine is adapted to fit the new strain of the virus. Just because you received a flu shot last year doesn’t mean it will protect you from this year’s flu virus. FACT 7: You protect others by protecting yourself. By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself and avoid spreading the flu to people who might be more severely affected by it. And, because children under 6 months can't be vaccinated, anyone caring for a baby, including pregnant women, should get the vaccine. Protect yourself and those around you—get your flu shot It is not too late to vaccinate! Flu season can run well into the spring months, particularly in the Central Valley, so getting your flu shot as soon as possible can protect you, your family and those around you. Everyone can play a part in preventing the spread of the flu! For more information, contact your health care provider or local pharmacies. How to recognize flu symptoms Typically flu symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the virus to someone else even before you realize that you are sick. Most adults may be able to infect others from about one day before symptoms begin up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. The flu attacks the nose, throat and lungs and usually comes on suddenly without warning. The flu can also lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia or dehydration. Symptoms of the flu may include: ▸ ▸ Fever or feeling feverish/chills. ▸ ▸ A headache. ▸ ▸ Stuffy or runny nose (nasal congestion). ▸ ▸ A sore throat. ▸ ▸ Muscle or body aches. ▸ ▸ A dry cough. ▸ ▸ Fatigue (tiredness). ▸ ▸ Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). The single best way to prevent flu is vaccination Medical studies show that a preventive flu vaccination reduces the chance of infection and lessens the severity of symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get a flu shot before the peak flu season, which is usually highest between December and February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protective antibodies against the flu. To keep our schools, places of employment and community healthy, CDC highly recommends getting your yearly flu shot. The flu vaccine is estimated to reduce the risk of becoming infected with influenza by 40 to 60 percent. How well the vaccine works depends on a person’s health and age and how well the vaccine is matched to the viruses circulating each year. Typically, if a person who has been vaccinated gets the flu, the vaccine may lessen the severity of the illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization.