How to protect your loved ones and yourself from the flu this season

Most seasonal flu activity happens between October and May with peaks in December, January and February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. Flu vaccines allow antibodies to develop in your body about two weeks after vaccination. The antibodies provide protection against infection caused by the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Vaccination to prevent the flu is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious complications. This includes children younger than 5 years of age and especially those between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. It also includes adults 65 years of age and older, those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, COPD, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, HIV/AIDS, obesity, pregnant women, and residents of long-term care facilities. If you fall into this high risk group, you should discuss the benefits of vaccination with your health care provider.

Here are a few facts about the flu vaccine:

• It is best that people get vaccinated as early in the flu season as possible; however, as long as flu viruses are circulating, vaccination can help protect you.
• Vaccines are offered in many locations including physician’s offices, health departments, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies.
• A flu vaccine is needed every year because the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time and, secondly, because flu viruses are constantly changing resulting in formulation of the vaccine to be reviewed and possibly updated every year.
• No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. The viruses used to create the vaccine are weakened and cannot cause flu illness. There are some mild side effects from the vaccine which may include fever, redness or soreness in the area of the vaccine, or headache.
• You should check with your doctor before receiving a vaccine if you are allergic to eggs or if you have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine.
• Additional key facts about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at the CDC

What are the benefits of flu vaccination?

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick from the flu
• Vaccination can help protect those that are at a greater risk of getting seriously ill.
• Your illness may be much milder if you do get sick.
• Vaccination can reduce the risk of more serious flu outcomes including hospitalization.

With or without a flu shot you can take steps to protect yourself by maintaining good hygiene, washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth whenever possible, and practicing good health habits like getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, drinking lots of fluids, eating a nutritious diet, and managing your stress.

Contributed by: The Physician Alliance, a physician organization representing more than 2,100 primary care and specialty physicians in southeast Michigan.

This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information or if you have a medical concern.

Read previously published blog articles from our physician members.