According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu season lasts from October to May. The first and most important step in preventing the flu is to get vaccinated yearly. When you get vaccinated against the flu, you are protecting not only yourself but also the residents of your community, particularly vulnerable children.
What is The Flu ?
It affects the lungs, nose, throat, and other parts of the body;
It is highly contagious and can spread quickly from one person to another;
It usually lasts about 2 weeks but can land you in the hospital.
Flu Symptoms :
Fever;
Headache;
Extreme fatigue;
Sore throat;
Runny or stuffy nose;
Dry cough;
Nausea, vomiting, diarrea.
According to the CDC, people 65 and over are more likely to experience major flu-related complications than young, healthy people. The immune system changes as we age, contributing to this increased risk. Despite the fact that flu seasons vary in severity, those 65 and over are more likely to develop serious flu illness. For example, it is estimated that adults 65 and older accounted for 50 to 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in previous years, and that this age group accounted for 70 to 85 percent of seasonal flu-related fatalities.
How Does it Spread ?
The flu spreads person-to-person. You can spread the flu even before you feel sick – as early as one day before you feel symptoms and five days after you feel better.
When Should I get Vaccinated ?
The best time to get vaccinated is early fall to December, but you can still get a seasonal flu shot through March or beyond.
The flu season peaks in February but it continues through until May.
As a healthcare worker, you must get vaccinated before the California Department of Health officially declares it “flu season” – this is typically around October 1st.
Loving Hands Home Care Services sends out flu vaccination reminders every year trough e-mail. Find out more about the services we offer in the Hayward and Stockton on our website.
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