Flu Information

The flu season is once again upon us and there are a few things you should know to better protect yourself and your family. Influenza or the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports each year in the United States 200,000 people are hospitalized from the flu and an astounding 36,000 people die from flu-related complications. According to the CDC getting vaccinated is the single best way of preventing the flu. The following are some commonly asked questions as reported by the CDC regarding vaccination.

 

Q: Why get vaccinated?
A: Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease. It is spread by sneezing, coughing and nasal secretions. Anyone can get the flu, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most people, symptoms last only a few days and they include: fever/chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, runny or stuffy nose and cough. By getting the flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.

 

Q: Who should get vaccinated?
A: While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

a. Health care workers

b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

c. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

 

Q: When should I get my vaccination?
A: The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

 

Q: When should I get my vaccination?
A: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated as soon as the 2011-2012 vaccines are available. Moreover, October or November is the best time to get vaccinated but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years. While the flu is a nasty virus that no one wants to contract, we can definitely better prepare ourselves in order to protect our family. FastERcare is currently offering flu shots for ages six months and older at the low price of $25.00. FastERcare is equipped to treat those who do contract the flu. Contact us for more information at 972.234.3299.

 

 

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Interesting Facts

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control)

• Average time spent in the ER is 3.2 hours

• From 1996 through 2006, the number of ER visits increased by a staggering 32%

• Emergency rooms are more crowded than ever

• There were, on average, about 227 visits to the ER every minute in 2006