As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, it's not just pumpkin spice lattes that should be on your mind – it's also time to think about your health. Flu season is here, and we at Renown Health encourage you to do your part in keeping your community safe. How can you protect everyone around you? Through something called herd immunity.
Reviewed by: Susanne James, Renown Health Senior Infection Preventionist.
What is Herd Immunity?
Our friends at the Cleveland Clinic define Herd Immunity as: enough people in a group or area achieving immunity (protection) against a virus or other infectious agent to make it very difficult for the infection to spread. Immunity happens in multiple ways: through natural infection, vaccination or passive transfer. Vaccination is the best way.
Why Are Flu Shots Necessary?
Immunizations save lives. Vaccines protect us from illnesses that can lead to serious complications.
They don’t just protect the individuals receiving the vaccine. Through herd immunity, vaccines also protect people who cannot be vaccinated due to compromised immune systems, as well as our elderly community members.
By getting a flu shot, you help build this protective barrier, preventing outbreaks and keeping everyone safer.
When should you get your flu shot?
Susanne recommends scheduling it in September through October. This timing ensures the strongest protection throughout flu season, since it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in your body.
How Do I Know it’s the Flu?
In general, the flu, common cold and COVID-19 can share similar symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue and coughs. So, it can be difficult to determine what your symptoms are attributed to.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Purple or blue color lips
- Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Seizures
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with an even worse cough
More Flu symptoms include:
- A 100 degree (or more) or feeling feverish (keep in mind, not everyone with the flu experiences a fever)
- A cough and/or sore throat
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
How can I Prevent the Flu?
In addition to getting vaccinated, here are some practical tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help you stay healthy:
- Wash Your Hands: Frequent handwashing can help prevent the spread of germs. Also using an alcohol-based hand rub if no soap and water are available.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep your immune system strong.
- Get Plenty of Rest: A good night's sleep boosts your body's ability to fight off infections.
- Avoid Close Contact: Try to keep your distance from people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This is one of the easiest ways for germs to spread into your body.
Flu Vaccine Q&A
Q: Can the flu shot give me the flu?
A: This is a common myth. The flu shot cannot cause the flu because it contains inactivated (killed) virus or a single protein from the virus, neither of which can cause illness.
Q: Do I need a flu shot every year?
A: Yes, you do. Flu viruses constantly evolve, and each year's vaccine is formulated to protect against the most current and prevalent strains.
Q: Is the flu shot safe?
A: Yes, flu vaccines have a strong safety record. While some people may experience mild side effects like soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever, serious side effects are extremely rare.
Q: Does the flu shot help with coronavirus?
A: The short answer is no. However, flu vaccines are shown to reduce the risks of flu illness and hospitalization.
Don’t wait until flu season is in full swing. Convenience is key, and Renown Health offers flu shots at various locations to make it as convenient as possible for you. Whether you prefer visiting our pharmacies, urgent care centers, or primary care offices, we've got you covered. Our goal is to ensure everyone in our community has access to the flu vaccine
