It's Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine
It?s not too late to get your flu vaccine and protect not only yourself, but also those around you such as your friends and family during the holiday season. Most flu and flu-related illnesses for the US population occur from December through early March so be safe this holiday season by taking the time to get your flu vaccine. Here are the facts:
The flu vaccination takes roughly two weeks to fully develop antibodies in your system and during that time, you are not fully protected against the flu.
A flu vaccine is a seasonal vaccination, which means it?s important to get vaccinated each year to remain protected against the strains of the virus expected to be most active that season.
Anyone six months and older (including pregnant women) should get vaccinated. Flu vaccines can be administered as a shot or as an intranasal mist (the mist is for ages 2 to 49 only).
Flu symptoms include:
? Body aches
? Fatigue
? Fever
? Coughing
? Runny nose
? Other symptoms resembling a common cold
The flu differs from a common cold in the severity of the symptoms and, most notably, how fast the symptoms come about. It?s important for anyone who experiences a fast onset, particularly of fever, to seek medical attention especially during this time of year. If diagnosed within the first 48 hours, antiviral medications can be prescribed to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms.
