Uh Oh, It's Flu Season! What You Need to Know About Flu Vaccination

Media reports from just about every corner of the country are cautioning that Americans could be in for a particularly intense flu season this year, with many medical experts encouraging folks not to delay getting their flu shots. The flu season is not only here -- it could last until as late as May of next year according to the CDC. With this in mind, it is helpful to review a few basics that could help keep you, your family and your friends and neighbors feeling at their best during this winter's seasonal outbreaks of the flu. Who's at Risk? The flu is a respiratory infection that can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening complications for older adults, children and people with weakened immune systems. Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect from serious flu-related illness. Influenza is a serious infection that can lead to hospitalization and even death in some individuals. Just because you are young and healthy doesn't mean that the flu can't cause you to become very sick or spread your illness to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends "universal" flu vaccination annually for everyone six months of age or older. Pregnant women and people with chronic conditions are at increased risk for complications from flu, so anyone with asthma, cancer, COPD, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney or liver disease, cystic fibrosis or obesity should talk to their health care provider about getting a flu shot -- without delay. Those of us...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news