The Importance of Flu Shots
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Flu season begins in October and can last all the way until March.
The flu, also known as influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Some symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
The flu spreads from person to person, and people with it are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins.
Last year, over 9 million people got sick with the flu; 100,000 were hospitalized and 5,000 died.
The flu vaccine can keep you from getting sick and prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits yearly. The vaccination also reduces the severity of illness in those who get vaccinated but still get sick and is an important preventative tool for people with certain chronic health conditions.
Getting vaccinated can protect the people around you and can be lifesaving for children and the elderly.
To get vaccinated, speak with your primary care provider or watch for flu clinics in the area.
The CDC also recently announced and recommended a new COVID-19 booster. Wood County Hospital currently does not have COVID-19 vaccines, but it is recommended to call your primary care provider, or a list of COVID-19 vaccine providers can be found here: https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
