The flu is one of the most infectious diseases in the United States. It is estimated that roughly 5 to 20 percent of the entire American population comes down with the flu every year. Common flu symptoms include high fevers (over 101°F), aching joints, severe headaches, dry cough, and fatigue.
Although the flu itself is not a life-threatening disease, it can open the door for several dangerous illnesses to develop. This is especially the case if it is left unattended or if the person infected already has a medical condition such as asthma. Bronchitis and pneumonia are two of the more dangerous flu complications.
Sadly, there is still no cure for the flu. This is largely because of the volatile and rapidly mutating nature of the influenza virus. However, many East Sacramento walk-in clinic doctors and public health officials urge citizens to get the flu vaccine to avoid contracting the disease.
Fortunately, it still isn’t too late to get a flu shot. Most East Sacramento urgent care centers, such as the one operated by U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, still offer the flu vaccine even in the midst of the flu season. An article from The Washington Post details just who should get vaccinated:
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone (including babies age six months and older) should get some form of flu vaccine. Vaccines prevent the illness about 50 to 80 percent of the time in adults younger than 60 and about 40 to 60 percent of the time in those 65 and older. (Older adults’ immune systems respond less strongly to the vaccine.) Those prevention rates may not sound so high, but if you get vaccinated and still come down with the flu, you’ll probably have a milder case, which means less chance of suffering serious complications.”
Protect yourself and your loved ones and get vaccinated for the flu as soon as possible. The human body needs two weeks to develop the flu antibodies brought about by the flu vaccine, so get your vaccine fast to hopefully prevent exposure.
(Article Excerpt and Image from Best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get vaccinated, and soon, The Washington Post, November 26, 2013)
U.S. HealthWorks Sacramento - East 