The flu is a respiratory viral infection that can be very serious. The symptoms include high fever and muscle and joint activities, followed by a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. The flu is highly contagious through airborne exposure and hands touching contaminated surfaces. It’s passed on when people breathe in liquid droplets containing the influenza virus that have been sneezed or coughed into the air. The virus can cause infections all year round. Every year, millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu. Untreated flu can result in minor complications such as sinus and ear infections, or major complications such as pneumonia or sepsis.
Why getting your flu shot is more important than ever? The world is still battling Covid-19. Now flu season is here too. Get the shot, not the flu! The CDC recommends flu vaccines for anyone 6 months and older, administered by the end of October. Get your flu shot during September or October to protect yourself early and during the entire flu season. Flu vaccines are now available at pharmacies, medical offices, community and college clinics, health departments, and even at some workplaces. It's best to get the vaccine by the end of October when flu cases begin to increase, health experts say.
The flu can bring complications such as bacterial pneumonia, asthma, heart disease, neurologic diseases, ear, and sinus infections. A new study of more than 80,000 adults hospitalized with flu found serious, sudden heart complications were common. One in eight patients had sudden heart complications. Of these patients, almost one-third were admitted to the ICU and 7 % died.
Help Prevent the Flu!
• Get a flu vaccination
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Wash hands with soap and water
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Take prescribed medication
• Sleep eight hours every day
Getting a flu shot is the most effective way to prevent yourself from catching the flu. Be a flu fighter!
Questions about the flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic? For more information about the flu vaccines, please call AMA Medical Center at (781) 581-6181 or contact us online.
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