As anyone can attest who has ever experienced it before, the flu, or influenza, is certainly no picnic! Even worse, flu symptoms come on quickly and seemingly out of nowhere, causing incredible fatigue, body aches, sore throats and fevers.
What is the flu?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses travel as droplets through the air whenever someone who is infected sneezes, coughs, or speaks. Thus, these contagious droplets are either inhaled directly or they are transferred from different objects, which then come in contact with your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is possible for the flu virus to be spread to others by those who are infected from a distance of about six feet.
People who have the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after the start of their illness.
Some flu symptoms include the following:
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Headache
- Body aches
- Chills
Here are five reasons that you should get a flu shot:
1.) Greatly reduce the risk of getting the flu.
This one might seem obvious, but it definitely bears repeating, because nothing can put a damper on your week quite like a bad run-in with the flu bug! Reports show that getting the flu shot cuts your chance of actually catching the flu by nearly fifty percent. Those are percentages worth taking!
2.) It could be a matter of life or death.
Skipping your flu shot could potentially cost you more than just a few days in bed. For one, it could send you to the hospital on account of pneumonia, ear infections, or other chronic illnesses. It is estimated that some 200,000 people become hospitalized with the flu every year in the United States. Of those 200,000 cases, about 80,000 are fatal. Groups of adults that are particularly at risk include those who are 65 and older, women who are pregnant, and people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS. Keep healthy and – even more importantly – stay alive by getting your annual flu shot as early as you can!
3.) Save your sick days!
This is simple risk-prevention, really. Missing work on account of the flu will cost you and your employer. The easiest way to avoid this troubling financial outcome is by taking your flu shot! The flu vaccine will also greatly reduce your risk of developing flu-related illnesses.
4.) No, you can’t get the flu by getting the flu vaccine.
This is unfortunately a very common misconception when it comes to flu vaccinations. Fortunately, it is actually quite easy to debunk. The flu vaccine uses a deadened form of the virus. That is to say, it is already inactive, and therefore cannot cause you to contract the virus from the vaccine. The worst thing you can experience from the flu shot is possible soreness or swelling from where the shot was given, or, in more extreme cases, headaches or a sore throat.
5.) Last year’s shot won’t cover you for this year.
The flu vaccine actually changes every year, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determine the different strains of influenza that will be most prevalent per season. The way your body’s immune system responds to the vaccine will also decline over time. Just like charging the battery on your phone, an update of the flu vaccine is an annual necessity when it comes to protecting your health.
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