This post is made possible by the American Lung Association, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
If you have health problems, having the flu can possibly make them worse and studies have shown that there is an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in the few days following a flu infection. None of us want that, do we? We truly do not.
If you need to know where to find a flu shot in your area, go to the American Lung Association’s GetMyShot.org and click on the vaccine finder. It will direct you to locations where you can find the flu vaccine in your area (up to a 50 mile radius.) You can also ask your doctor; as I’ve noted in my past post about the flu, I’ve gotten my shots at both my doctor’s office and at my local pharmacy. Both places were familiar and made getting the shot easy and stress free.
Tips for Keeping the Flu at Bay
I suppose I could tell you to crawl into a cave at the start of flu season and not come out until it’s over. That is really not practical, is it? It would also be rather boring if you ask me. There are some things you can do to help keep the flu away:
- Get the flu vaccine – I’ll bet you saw that one coming, didn’t you? You need to get the shot every year because each flu season brings a different strain (or strains) of the flu. And remember, it takes two weeks for the antibodies to develop.
- Wash your hands – a lot. If you come in contact with anyone who has a cold, the sniffles or has sneezed. Just wash your hands. It can’t hurt and it might help.
The CDC recommends practicing other good health habits including:
- Eat a well balanced and healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruits. Eating well is good for your general overall health can only help your immune system.
- Drinks lots of water. Staying hydrated helps the body clear toxins
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill
No One Wants the Flu
I know I don’t. So go out and get that flu vaccine. That way we are all part of protecting the vulnerable populations that can’t get the vaccine; those under 6 months and some people with a compromised immune system. The flu tends to kill the oldest and the youngest among us but remember it can also exacerbate existing health problems like asthma, diabetes or COPD:
If you have a chronic health problem it’s even more important that you get an annual flu vaccine. Adults who are 50 years of age and older and have a chronic health problem have two very vital reasons. I have not failed to get my shot since 1998. Nor has my husband. Neither one of us has had the flu since that one horrific occurrence when we were much younger.
Never again I swore, and never again it has been.
For more information you can go to GetMyShot.org
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