As respiratory illnesses have gained more awareness, getting your annual flu shot has become more important than ever. The influenza virus can be harmful to those with compromised immune systems and can cause severe breathing issues. Most often, if you catch the flu, our bodies will fight the virus off, and the disease will go away within a few weeks. But to prevent getting future variations of the flu virus and protecting those with compromised immune systems, getting your flu shot is the best way to protect yourself. As medical professionals, we highly recommend getting your annual flu shot to help prevent its spread and getting sick during flu season.
Influenza Season, The Virus, and How It Affects You
Influenza is a common illness, as millions of people get the flu each year. People can experience the illness for up to two weeks, and afterward, symptoms go away. Most often, flu season occurs during the fall and winter, but the virus is able to spread year-round. The flu virus peaks during the months of December to February but can be active as long as May. Even while millions of people catch the flu each year, the virus can pose a more severe threat to those with compromised immune systems, such as children, the elderly, and those with autoimmune diseases.
Because of the nature of the influenza virus, the flu virus evolves each year, making it harder to control. Our only method of controlling the virus is through vaccination shots. These vaccination shots contain a tiny amount of deactivated influenza virus, just enough to allow our immune systems to recognize and destroy the virus within our systems. These vaccinations are specifically designed to boost immunity and help protect the body from future strains. For those planning to get the flu shot this fall or winter, there are some side effects that come with the flu shot, including:
- Low-Grade Fevers
- Soreness At Injection Site
- Muscles Aches
- Headaches
- Nausea
Flu shots have been medically proven to reduce the risk of future flu infections, and due to its ever-evolving nature, it can be a difficult illness to manage each year without an updated vaccine. After getting a flu shot, though, immunity from influenza will last about six months.
Get Your Vaccinations Today!
As the Covid-19 pandemic lessens its impact over time, it can become easier to become more relaxed about getting your vaccinations. For those people who have not been vaccinated for the Covid virus, flu symptoms and covid symptoms have been misrecognized and mixed up over time due to their similarity in symptoms. The CDC recommends getting the flu shot is vital alongside the Covid-19 vaccine because it helps reduce pressure from healthcare professionals responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. To best protect yourself against both Covid and the influenza virus, getting both the Covid vaccine and flu vaccine with two weeks in between periods is the most assured way to protect yourself from getting sick this year.
