The Influenza Shot saves lives--Time to get the flu shot!

[dlcnurse]

In the last 6 years or so we have seen a huge increase in persons getting the flu and having serious consequences from that illness. Some of the complications that I have personally seen this year alone is Pneumonia, Viral attacks on the heart valves, Severe urinary tract infections, meningitis, gastroentestinal illness such as gastritis, acid reflux, and the worst is a stroke.

Getting the flu shot should be your first priority in prevention! The flu vacinations are not from live viruses, it is a synthetic dead virus and you will not get the flu from it. You make experience some muscle achiness, sore arm from the shot, headache, and that "overall feeling of just not up to par today" but all of those feelings will past within a day.

If you actually got the flu, it could be alot worse on you. You could wind up in the hospital deathly ill from complications of having the flu.
You can read all about the flu shot here- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Flu shots are currently availalbe at senior citizens groups, Your physician's office. If you cannot afford to pay for the shot, contact your American Red Cross chapter, your local Health DEpartment, Both of these receive supplies to give the flu shot and hold clinic days to do so.

Please save the life of someone you love from getting seriously ill from the flu. And save your own life by getting the flu shot. They are available now and through November.

[dlcnurse]

Seasonal influenza remains a serious concern this flu season. Seasonal flu hospitalizes more than a quarter of a million people each year, and is responsible for 36,000 deaths each year in our nation.

The flu is not a cold. It is a serious disease. Annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended for more than 80% of the US population. It is especially important for those in high-risk groups, including children six months to 18 months of age, adults over 50 years of age, pregnant women, anyone with chronic health conditions and caregivers and household contacts of these high-risk age groups.

Flu season lasts from fall through early spring. There is still plenty of time for you and your loved ones to get vaccinated. If you would like to learn more about Influenza and the vaccination you can find updated facts here: http://www.medscape.com/resource/influenza

I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Many states have already recieved supplies for the seasonal flu vaccine. An easy way to find a clinc near you is

http://www.flucliniclocator.org just by typing in your zip code. They also have links to other sites to find more information regarding the flu.

Take the plunge and get vaccinated!!!

The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine will not protect you from the H1N1 swine flu strain! The difficulty here is that you cannot tell the difference between the symptoms if you contracted the flu of any type! Obtaining the seasonal influenza vaccine will help protect you from becoming seriously ill from any of the flu strains.

In July there were 94,512 virologically confirmed cases with 429 deaths associated with the H1N1 influenza strain. It is estimated that the H1N1 viral swine flu will infect half of the US population, requiring 1.8 million hospitalizations and result in 30,000-90,000 deaths.

So what are the signs and symptoms of Influenza/or the H1N1 Swine flu
Fever 101-102.2 degrees
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Cough
Extreme tiredness
Runny Nose
Muscle Aches
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Incubation periods are from 1 to 7 days after being exposed by someone else. If you develop any or all of these signs and symptoms see your doctor as soon as possible. If it is H1N1, treatment needs to be initiated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

These same symptoms represent the typical onset of Influenza regardless of the Type of Influenza that you may have!

Getting vaccinated for the Seasonal Influenza will help protect you from becoming seriously ill from the flu!

Only you can protect yourself and those around you. Be proactive and get the shot. Call your doctor today or visit your local health department or locate a clinic near you.

[dlcnurse]

It is Flu season once again-October through December is the time frame that many people can contract the flu. Flu shots are available now at most all health departments nation wide, through your doctors office, and many drug stores are also offering flu shots. The costs vary as to what you would pay. The least cost is through the health department. Most charge 15-20 dollars up front. They will give you a reciept so that you can turn it in to your insurance. Don't run the risk of getting the flu! We have alot of different FLU strains out there that can cause some really serious illness. Be smart and get your flu shot!