Now is the Time to Book Your Annual Flu Shot

by Maggie Z. Mathews

Posted on Wednesday 19th of November 2008

If you are involved on the front lines of medical care – for example a person working in a nursing home, or are a “first responder” in an ambulance or fire department staff then it’s a good idea to get a flu shot for the coming winter. It goes without saying that those in the health care field – be they doctors , nurses or other health care field staff and employees should also avail themselves to the “flu shot” as well. Those who get the shot put themselves in a defensive position of building a defensive wall against the spread of the deadly flu.

Who else are good candidates to consider they ready to get a flu shot? First those aged over 65 and their household and daily contacts. Next are those who live in personal care homes or other chronic care facilities. Alongside this group are young toddlers between the ages of 6 months and 23 months. Lastly pregnant women, as well as their contacts should get a flu shot.

Why all this concern over the ordinary “flu”? Flu, to the wrong groups – can be deadly. To those who are most susceptible – especially the elderly contracting influenza can result in severe complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. Every year 10’s of thousands of ordinary Americans die from complications of the standard flu. Again it should be noted that by far the largest and most susceptible group of those who succumb to serious effects of influenza are by and large the elderly.

It can be said that although the effects of influenza “the flu” , can be devastating , most devastating, that fortunately much of the problems associated with the illness can indeed by prevented. The flu shot by far, to this date, is the best defense. If you are in a high risk group that is deemed chosen to receive the flu shot – then now, not later , not tomorrow is the best time to schedule your vaccination. Why wait for spring as they say. It can be said that influenza vaccines have been around and been used for a long time span now. Influenza vaccines are considered safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks inherent.

Influenza generally spreads from person to person mainly by sneezing, coughing and other direct physical contacts. Symptoms include fever and chills, cough, headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat and even exhaustion.

It can be best said that the flu – influenza is so easy to catch and so easy to spread to those around you and those that you love. In seniors, young children and people with chronic ongoing breathing problems and diseases like asthma and chronic bronchitis then the flu is a real serious hit and concern not to be taken lightly or flippantly. For these people flu is a real danger – a simple run of the mill malady which for them can be more than downright serious. The flu shot is by far the best and even easiest defense against the flu – for yourself, for those around you and those that you love.

Now is the time to schedule your flu shot. Why wait for spring?