Getting Your Flu Shot Matters
| By Sheldon Riklon, M.D.
Every year, many people in the United States get sick with the flu. While many people experience symptoms similar to the common cold, others — such as people who have chronic health conditions, older adults, pregnant women and young children — can experience serious complications. The best way to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy is to get a yearly flu shot.
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. It often begins suddenly — someone may feel fine in the morning but become very ill by the afternoon. The flu also spreads easily by being in close contact with someone who has the flu or by touching a surface with flu germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Most people recover in a few days, but the flu can be serious for certain people and lead to complications like pneumonia, dehydration and hospitalization.
Your Best Protection
The flu shot is the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot. Because the flu virus can change, it’s best to get a yearly flu shot in early fall, before flu season starts, so your body has enough time to build protection. A shot later in the season still builds important immunities, so it is never too late to get your shot.
The shot cannot give you the flu, but some people may experience mild side effects like a sore arm or being tired. These symptoms usually last only a day or two, then go away.
Other Ways to Stay Healthy
While the flu shot is the most important step to staying healthy, here are some additional steps you can take to make sure you stay healthy this flu season:
- Wash your hands often using soap and water.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner arm.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces like door handles, light switches, countertops and faucets.
When more people get vaccinated, we not only protect ourselves and our loved ones but also our community. By getting the yearly flu shot, you help reduce the spread of illness and protect those most vulnerable.
For more information about the flu and flu shot recommendations, visit cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html.
Sheldon Riklon, M.D., is a professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and a co-investigator with the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation.