If
you are involved on the front lines of medical care - for
example a person working in a nursing home, or are a "first
responder" in an ambulance or fire department staff then
it's a good idea to get a flu shot for the coming winter.
It goes without saying that those in the health care field
- be they doctors , nurses or other health care field staff
and employees should also avail themselves to the "flu shot"
as well. Those who get the shot put themselves in a defensive
position of building a defensive wall against the spread
of the deadly flu.
Who else are good candidates to consider they ready to get
a flu shot? First those aged over 65 and their household
and daily contacts. Next are those who live in personal
care homes or other chronic care facilities. Alongside this
group are young toddlers between the ages of 6 months and
23 months. Lastly pregnant women, as well as their contacts
should get a flu shot.
Why all this concern over the ordinary "flu"? Flu, to the
wrong groups - can be deadly. To those who are most susceptible
- especially the elderly contracting influenza can result
in severe complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization
and even death. Every year 10's of thousands of ordinary
Americans die from complications of the standard flu. Again
it should be noted that by far the largest and most susceptible
group of those who succumb to serious effects of influenza
are by and large the elderly.
It can be said that although the effects of influenza "the
flu" , can be devastating , most devastating, that fortunately
much of the problems associated with the illness can indeed
by prevented. The flu shot by far, to this date, is the
best defense. If you are in a high risk group that is deemed
chosen to receive the flu shot - then now, not later , not
tomorrow is the best time to schedule your vaccination.
Why wait for spring as they say. It can be said that influenza
vaccines have been around and been used for a long time
span now. Influenza vaccines are considered safe. The benefits
far outweigh any risks inherent.
Influenza generally spreads from person to person mainly
by sneezing, coughing and other direct physical contacts.
Symptoms include fever and chills, cough, headaches, muscle
aches, runny nose, sore throat and even exhaustion.
It can be best said that the flu - influenza is so easy
to catch and so easy to spread to those around you and those
that you love. In seniors, young children and people with
chronic ongoing breathing problems and diseases like asthma
and chronic bronchitis then the flu is a real serious hit
and concern not to be taken lightly or flippantly. For these
people flu is a real danger - a simple run of the mill malady
which for them can be more than downright serious. The flu
shot is by far the best and even easiest defense against
the flu - for yourself, for those around you and those that
you love.
Now is the time to schedule your flu shot. Why wait for
spring?
