The Barry-Eaton District Health Department recommends getting a flu vaccine this year, and every year, to protect yourself and your family from flu and its potentially serious complications.

 

Anyone can get the flu, including healthy children and adults. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unlike the common cold, flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and may last up to two weeks. Some people are at a greater risk of more severe symptoms and complications. These include individuals aged 65 and older, those with certain chronic conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and children younger than five years old (especially infants).

 

“Getting an influenza vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu and its potentially serious complications,” says Jackie Anderson, RN, BEDHD Clinic Coordinator. “In fact, a recent study showed that influenza vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated death by nearly two-thirds in healthy children.” If you receive a vaccination and still get the flu, the vaccine may make flu symptoms milder. The vaccine will also prevent you from spreading the flu to others, including those at risk of more serious illness.

 

The Barry-Eaton District Health Department, along with CDC, recommend a three-step approach to fight flu:

 

• Get a flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October. 
• Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs. Try to avoid close contact with sick people, and if you become sick, limit your contact with others. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get sick with flu, prescription flu antiviral drugs can be used to treat flu illness. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

 

BEDHD offers flu vaccinations for children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years of age. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against flu virus infection. BEDHD encourages you to contact your health care provider or local pharmacy and get vaccinated before flu activity starts to increase.

 

For more information about immunizations offered at BEDHD, visit www.barryeatonhealth.org/immunizations. For more information on this year’s influenza vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations. Call (517) 541-2651 or (269) 793-4133 to schedule an appointment.