Get You Flu Vaccine Today

Flu shots are available now in record numbers. Flu shots are usually about 70% effective in preventing flu. Flu shots can be helpful for anyone who is not severely allergic to eggs as the vaccine is sometimes grown in eggs. After years of shortages and confusion, ample flu vaccine supplies have the government urging shots this fall not just for people at highest risk of dying from influenza, but also for anyone who wants to avoid a week of aching misery.

Flu shots are recommended for anyone who does not want to get influenza. Flu shots are especially recommended for those at risk for serious illness from the flu. Those in most need of flu shots are people over the age of 50, children six months to five years, pregnant women, people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Anyone with a health problem that makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, anyone who has had a heart attack or heart disease, anyone with lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema, and people with diabetes or blood disorders are also on the list of people who should get a flu vaccine yearly.

However, the vaccine can trigger an immune response from your body, so you may have a few mild symptoms, like achy muscles or a low fever. People who think they caught the flu after receiving their shot are confusing their symptoms with those of a cold, or another virus.

CDC experts said the best way to prevent flu is to get flu shots but for those of us who hate shots we have a choice now. A new alternative to flu shots is FluMist. As with flu shots, you will need a new dose of FluMist every year in order to prevent the flu. Safe for kids 2years and up and also for adults to age 49.

After a person has been infected with the flu virus, symptoms usually appear within 2 to 4 days. Symptoms of the flu include an abrupt-onset fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion, aching muscles, and a constant, unproductive cough. Symptoms can also include hot flashes, shivering chills, nausea, and weakness. These symptoms can be severe and debilitating for a number of days. If your symptoms do not improve, see your doctor; you may be suffering from serious side effects of the flu.

Most serious side effect that can occur from getting a flu vaccine is an allergic reaction in people who have severe allergy to eggs, since the viruses used in the vaccine are grown in hens' eggs. However, some people develop serious, life-threatening complications such as pneumonia.

Although these side effects may last for a day, the flu can knock you off your feet for 2 to 3 weeks and can cause complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and other respiratory problems

Complications from flu cause up to 40,000 deaths per year in the US. If you have heart disease, you are at increased risk of complications from the flu including pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart attack, and death.

Sources include the mayo clinic and flu mist.