[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”897″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_shadow” stm_hover_action=”top” css=”.vc_custom_1533654783475{margin-bottom: 55px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533654229084{margin-bottom: 80px !important;}”]Did you know that on average between 5% and 20% of the US population contract the flu each year? Thousands of people are hospitalized due to complications and for some—especially the very young and very old—contracting the flu can be fatal. This is why we must take flu season seriously.
When it comes to illness, prevention is always the best protection, which is why Agile Urgent Care has produced this short primer about the flu and how the flu vaccine works.
What is the flu?
If you begin to experience symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or congestion, you may wonder if you have a cold or flu. Both are contagious infections and it can be easy to confuse the two. But learning to identify the difference is important because, if unmonitored, the flu can turn severe and even life-threatening.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses which infects the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. The flu is a colloquialism for influenza. It is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses A and B. Most people with the flu recover in a week or two but some develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications. The flu virus affects the lung, nose, and throat and is spread from skin-to-skin contact, exposure to a contaminated surface, through saliva or by airborne respiratory droplets. In general, the symptoms tend to come on more abruptly, are more severe and can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Symptoms include:
- Body aches/Headaches
- Sudden and excessive fatigue
- Persistent cough
- Fever and sore throat
- Tightness of the chest
- Wheezing and congestion
- Diarrhea, vomiting and nausea
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If you are uncertain about whether you or someone in the family should get a flu shot, it’s best to talk to a doctor and get a personalized recommendation.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Who needs the flu shot?
It is recommended that everyone from 6 months old and up receive a flu shot. This especially includes:
- Pregnant women
- Children between 6 months to 5 years
- Adults 65 or older
- Healthcare providers
If you are uncertain about whether you or someone in the family should get a flu shot, it’s best to talk to a doctor and get a personalized recommendation.
When should you get a flu shot?
It takes around two weeks for the body to develop antibodies against the vaccine. It is recommended that adults get vaccinated against the flu by the end of October. Children who need the vaccine in dose form must start sooner so they are protected by the time flu season rolls around.
How does the flu vaccine work?
Flu vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to create antibodies—large proteins which neutralize harmful bacteria and viruses. The newly developed antibodies help to fight off any viral infection which you are exposed to during the flu season.
How effective is the vaccine?
The effectiveness of a flu shot varies from year to year and among individuals. The factors that determine how well the flu shot prevents illness include a person’s age and general health condition and the similarity between the season’s flu strains and how close the vaccination anticipated these strains as it was being created. On the whole, however, reports suggest a flu shot lowers the risk of catching the flu by 50-60%.
What are the side effects and symptoms of the flu shot?
The flu shot has continuously proved itself to be the most effective means of preventing the flu. Let’s take a look at some possible symptoms and side effects of the shot.
Common symptoms:
- Soreness
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
Rare side effects include hives, facial swelling and difficulty in breathing.
Where can you get a flu shot?
Most pediatric urgent care centers and family health services offer walk-in flu vaccinations. The best way to ensure you are seen in a timely manner is to look online for clinics and urgent care facilities in your area. If you are in New Jersey, you can visit Agile Urgent Care and skip the wait. From internal care to preventative care, the physicians at Agile Urgent Care have you covered.
Contact Agile Urgent Care today to learn more about what we offer![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
