So, what can you do to make sure your fall and winter don't include sickness? One of the most important steps to take in preventing illness this fall is to get vaccinated! Getting a yearly flu shot not only protects you but all those around you from the flu. We know, we know...We've heard all the excuses. We'll get to that in a minute. Did you know that there is also a pneumonia vaccine? People over the age of 65 or people who are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia (i.e. smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers, asthmatics) should receive a pneumonia vaccine once at least every five years.
Another MAJOR and IMPORTANT thing to prevent illness is to WASH YOUR HANDS. You know the old saying, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness?" Well, there just might be some truth to that, especially as far as germs are concerned. There is no better way to prevent illness than to clean it! Germs can't hurt you if they don't touch you! Frequent hand washing and cleaning of areas that frequently touched is a necessity to prevent germs in ANY season from attacking. Pay special attention to babies' toys and anything than they put in their mouths (which is, let's face it, EVERYTHING!), food preparation areas, and frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs. Bleach is the best (and fortunately, cheapest) cleaner you can buy. It can be used to clean ANYTHING -- even food. Here's a great article that tells you ways to use bleach: http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/12-smart-ways-to-use-bleach/
Now, back to the flu shots. I know that there are people reading this who will give ten thousand reasons why they won't get a flu shot. We've probably heard just about all of them. The truth is: most of the things you think you know about flu shots are NOT true.
Myth 1 : Getting the flu shot will give me the flu.
Fact: The flu shot does NOT contain live virus. LIVE viruses are what make you sick. THEREFORE, getting the flu shot does NOT give you the flu.
"But how do you explain that I got the flu shot last year and a week later I got the flu."
Simple. The flu vaccine takes approximately two (can be up to four) weeks to help your body develop it's fullest immunity. So, you will not be protected from the flu right after your shot. It will take a few weeks to "kick in", so to speak. Therefore, do NOT wait until late in the season to get your flu shot. If you haven't already gotten it -- NOW is the time!
"Well, okay, my friend got the flu shot and she got the flu two months later."
So, another fact, flu vaccinations will not prevent everyone from getting the flu. This year's vaccination is based on the most common and dangerous strains from last year. So, it is possible that the type of virus that infected your friend was a strain not covered in the flu vaccine. But more likely than not, your friend experienced a much milder form of illness than she would have had she not been vaccinated. While the flu vaccine does not prevent "everyone" "always" getting the flu -- it helps to minimize the severity of the symptoms, plus provide protection for those who come in contact with you, to decrease their risk.
Myth 2: I don't have kids or I live alone, and I'm always very careful to avoid sick people.
Fact : Germs lurk around every corner. You can come in contact with people who don't even know they are sick yet. Plus-- you can pass the flu virus to others, even if you don't become sick yourself.
You are carrying virus germs well before you know that you are sick, so ANYONE you come in contact with is at risk of sharing your germs. Whether it's at the grocery store, the soccer fields, the drug store, or anywhere you might come in contact with others -- you can pass on germs -- AND those germs can get passed on to you. No matter how careful you might be, others might not be so careful. Especially anywhere there are children -- there are germs. So, just because you think you have avoided all the germ "traps", I assure you, they are still lurking in an unsuspecting corner waiting to strike!
Myth 3 : It's just a little cold -- I can handle being sick for a few days.
Fact: The flu virus is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year. Many of these were otherwise healthy persons before getting the flu.
The flu is NOT a common cold. Flu virus can be much harder for your body to fight and can cause much worse symptoms than just your average "cold". Dehydration is a common cause of hospitalization and can further exacerbate the damage caused by the virus. You might be lucky -- but you're more likely to NOT be. Not to mention feeling like you've been hit by a bus, you won't be allowed (for the safety of your coworkers) to come back to work until you're 100%, so think about being out of work for a week or more. Does that make it seem a little more serious?
Myth 4 : I've already had the flu this year (or even this season), so I can't get it again.
Fact: There are different strains of the virus, and just because you have been infected by one doesn't mean you can't be infected by another.
Just because you've already been diagnosed with flu does NOT mean you can't get it again. While your body does develop antibodies that fight the strain you've already had, there's always the possibility of being infected by another. Even if you've already had the flu this season, you can still be vaccinated to help prevent another attack.
Getting a flu shot is very simple these days. You can get one at your doctor's office, the health department, or many of our local pharmacies. It only takes a few seconds to actually get the injection -- and you should only feel a pinch. Some people do have soreness where the injection occurred (usually in the arm) for a few hours. Taking 2 acetaminophen before getting your vaccination will help to minimize that.
Remember: It only takes a few minutes to get a flu vaccine. It could save your from being ill -- or, even save your life or someone else's! Get vaccinated today!
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Get Vaccinated Against the Flu TODAY!!
