It's important to protect yourself this year with a flu shot
Even if you usually skip the flu shot, this is the year to make sure you get one, according to medical experts.
In a year where the flu season will overlap with the coronavirus pandemic, it’s more important than ever to practice proper hygiene and continue to take steps to protect yourself.
“It is safe for you to go to the doctor for a flu shot,” wrote Lisa Maragakis, M. D., of Hopkinsmedicine.
org. “For the 2020– 2021 flu season, the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
( CDC) recommends that you get your flu shot in September or October. Ask your doctor if you should get a pneumonia shot, too.”
The seasonal flu pops up every year and it generally peaks between December and February, but it can begin as early as October or end as late as May.
High- risk people include infants, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with certain chronic medical conditions.
COVID- 19 differs from the flu because healthy people are at high risk for serious complications.
Back in late August, the 20 to 30 years old age group in Auglaize County made up the third highest age group that tested positive for COVID.
“With the increased capacity for testing and test sites able to conduct testing on those that are asymptomatic or having mild symptoms, there has been a significant increase in numbers,” Auglaize
County Health Commissioner Oliver Fisher said in an email to The Evening Leader. “This has shined a light on the fact that even if you're in a ‘ prime health’ age group, it doesn't protect your from contracting the virus.”
The importance of getting flu shots is a great one.
According to the CDC, during the 2019- 20 flu season, 38 million people were ill, 18 million went to a health care provider to be
treated, 400,000 were hospitalized and 22,000 died.
The CDC estimates that flu vaccinations prevented an estimated 7.52 million illnesses, 3.69 million medical visits 105,000 hospitalizations and 6,300 deaths due to the flu during the 2019- 20 season.
“Vaccination prevented the lowest proportion of illnesses among adults aged 18 to 49 years, the age group in which vaccination coverage is lowest, and among children aged 5- 17 years,” writes the CDC. “Vaccination prevented the greatest proportion of outcomes among children aged 6 months to 4 years, an age group in which there was high vaccine uptake and the vaccine effectiveness was greatest. Influenza vaccination is the best way to protect against influenza and associated complications.”
There’s a common misconception that the flu vaccine actually causes people to get the flu, which is not the case. It’s most likely side effects that people are stricken with that are a byproduct of the vaccine.
Flu vaccines given with a needle are made with either inactivated, killed, viruses or with only a single protein from the flu virus.
The vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body around two weeks after vaccination. The antibodies provide the protection against infection.
Side effects from flu vaccinations administered by needle include soreness, tiredness, redness or swelling where the shot was given.
A low- grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.
For nasal spray vaccines, side effects include runny nose, wheezing, headaches, vomiting, sore throats, coughs and muscle aches.
The CDC recommends the best time to get vaccinated is before the month of October ends because that timeframe will provide the most effective protection. Vaccinations are still offered into next year.
With time winding down, it’s important to do this soon. Vaccinefinder. org allows you to search areas for nearby places that offer flu shots.
By entering in the zip code and the type of vaccine that’s desired, the website will filter results. It will list locations within 50 miles.
In addition to vaccinations, the CDC lists “everyday preventative actions” to stop the spread of germs.
Avoiding close contact with those that are sick, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, washing hands with soap and water, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause the flu.