2017 Flu shot
It’s that time of year.
Every year our industry does it’s best to figure out which Flu Vaccines will be most effective.
Starting this week, JoyRich Healthcare Centers will be offering “Flucelvax Quadrivalent” Flu Vaccines.
This vaccine protects you against four strains of the influenza virus. It now targets against a 4th strain which is the second type of B strain as well as three others.
Why should people get a 2017 Flu Shot?
Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations since 2010 ranged from 140,000 to 710,000, while flu-related deaths are estimated to have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000. During flu season, flu viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S. population. (“Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.) An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.
Who Should Get a 2017 Flu Shot??
Almost everyone 6 months old and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
Some people are more at risk of getting very sick from complications of the flu than others. These groups should be sure to get a flu shot each year:
- Children, especially from 6 months to 5 years old
- Pregnant women
- Adults age 65 and older
- People with health conditions
- Those who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- Certain groups of people, including Native Americans and Alaska Natives
- Travelers and people living abroad
The following people SHOULD NOT get a 2017 Flu Shot.
- Children under 6 months old
- People who are very allergic to the flu shot or any of its ingredients
Talk to your doctor before you get the vaccine if you have any of these symptoms:
- An allergy to eggs or any of the other ingredients in the vaccine
- A history of Guillain-Barre syndrome
- If you’re not feeling well
How to Help Combat Colds and Influenza:
First and foremost, get your 2017 flu shot.
The 2017 flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu and its complications. Though there is still a small chance you can catch the flu even if you get vaccinated, getting the flu shot will greatly reduce your risk. It is especially important that seniors, infants and others with weakened immune systems get vaccinated
Support your immunity by fueling your body for optimum strength.
Support your body’s immune system with simple but effective habits. Eat a well-balanced diet and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about vitamins that may help support your wellness. Be sure to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day and consider cutting back your caffeine intake. Make time in your schedule for exercise and 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Wash your hands and don’t touch your face.
Your hands can carry germs to your eyes, nose and mouth. Break the habit of touching your face, and wash your hands frequently. When you wash, wet hands thoroughly, work up a lather and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Rinse well and air dry or blot with a clean towel. Alcohol-based sanitizer is not as effective as handwashing but it’s a great alternative.
Cover your cough.
Coughing and sneezing into the air makes germs and viruses airborne, where they can easily spread to surfaces and other people. Help reduce the spread of germs by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow. If work, travel or other activities bring you into contact with many people, consider using a product during flu season that helps boost your immunity to airborne viruses.
Disinfect surfaces.
Use a product that kills household germs and be sure to thoroughly wipe down handles, faucets and all surfaces that you touch often – don’t forget your workspace and car! If you use public transportation, be sure to wash your hands as soon as you get to your destination.
Think you might be sick?
Don’t “wait and see” – get help right away. Early flu treatment (within 72 hours of exposure to the virus) has been proven to reduce the length and severity of illness. If you think you might have the flu, or have been exposed to someone with the flu, see a health care professional right away.
The following are selections from the tips that we give to our patients when they have a cold or flu.
This advice is not intended to diagnose or replace the specific guidance of your primary care facility .
If you chose not to get your 2017 Flu shot, there are a few things you can do to help you this flu season. When you first begin feeling unwell, there are things you can do to help avoid a full blown infection or to at least shorten the duration of illness. These suggestions are most useful st the very beginning of an illness, or even following an exposure to someone who is sick. They will help you fend off influenza, colds, and other minor respiratory infections.
Call your primary care facility if your symptoms become severe, or if symptoms do not begin to resolve after a few days. Following are some steps you can take to boost your immunity.
1. Eat lightly if your appetite is diminished. This is a natural response of the body, when it attempts to conserve energy for fighting off the infection versus processing food. When you do eat, keep it soft and simple- traditional chicken soup, vegetable broths, or steamed veggies over white rice are all great choices.
2. Get rest ASAP – Many people ignore the early warning signs of illness and keep right on working until they “drop.” You will feel worse, and it will take longer to heal if you allow the illness to get a foothold. If you feel a sore throat, headache, fever, or congestion coming on, take it easy. If possible, take a day off from work, and/or arrange for help with childcare. Taking one day now may prevent you from losing three or four days later on.
3. Drink Plenty of Fluids – filtered water and non-caffeinated herbal teas are great choices. You will also benefit from the extra fluids in soups and broths.
4. Saline nasal rinses are an excellent way to soothe irritated sinuses and nasal passages
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