Consider the benefits of receiving a flu shot
What are you doing this winter? Do you plan to ski? Read some good books? Take a vacation? Do some holiday shopping? Don’t let the flu interrupt your plans this winter. Get a flu shot.
Many people who want to lower their risk of getting influenza get a flu shot. The flu shot is particularly important for people at high risk of serious flu complications such as pneumonia. People at high risk include:
• Adults 65 years old or older.
• Children 6 to 23 months old.
• Adults and children with chronic health problems, including asthma or other ongoing lung problems, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes
• Adults and children who are undergoing medical treatment (such as chemotherapy) or who have an illness (such as HIV/AIDS) that can weaken the immune system.
• Women who will be at least three months pregnant during the flu season.
A flu shot is also encouraged for:
• Adults 50 to 64 years old.
• People who are in contact with others at high risk such as adults and children who are caregivers or who live with others at high risk of severe illness from flu
• People who live with or are out-of-home caretakers of infants from 0 to 23 months of age, especially those younger than six months.
MyHealthConnection can help you and your family enjoy a healthy life and avoid getting sick. Getting a flu shot can help. Remember:
• The flu is caused by a virus and it is highly contagious. If you or someone you live with is at risk of getting serious complications from the flu, talk to your doctor about getting all members in your household immunized.
• The virus that causes the flu changes each year, so it’s important to get a flu shot every year.
• You will not get the flu from getting a flu shot, because it doesn’t contain a live flu virus.
If you want to know if a flu shot is appropriate for you, check with your doctor. You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, or watch for announcements about flu shots being offered in your neighborhood.
If you have any questions about the flu shot or other health issues, call MyHealthConnection at 1-800-658-2750. Health Coaches are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
-- Amanda Eickhoff, Coordinator of Wellness, Wellness Center, amandaeickhoff@mail.und.edu, 777-0210 |