Vaccinating Patients in North Central Arkansas & South Central Missouri
Think you won’t need an influenza shot this season? Think again.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everybody
gets an annual flu vaccine for those that are six months and older. The
more effective way to fight off the flu is to get a flu vaccination. Getting
vaccinated can reduce visits to the doctor, missed work and school, flu
illnesses, and possibly prevent hospitalizations. The CDC estimates that
tens of thousands of Americans die annually due to the devastating effects
of the flu. There are no excuses to not get vaccinated; you can help prevent
the flu today!
Here are several symptoms commonly associated with the flu:
Fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
Aching muscles, primarily in your legs, arms, and back
Weakness and fatigue
Nasal congestion
Sweats and chills
Headache
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC highly
recommend that healthcare centers begin providing flu vaccinations shortly
following their availability. It is best to get vaccinated at least a
couple weeks before flu season begins because it takes approximately two
weeks for the flu vaccine to start producing antibodies that would protect
against the flu virus. To learn more about the seasonal influenza virus
and vaccine, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/flu.
