INFLUENZA

Influenza - a common viral infection that can be deadly, especially in high-risk groups; seasonal flu

The disease is typically contracted through contact with someone with it. This can be through a cough, sneeze, or hand to hand contact. Washing your hands on a regular basis can also prevent the spread of it.

You should get vaccinated because it raises your chances of not contracting the disease and it can prevent the spread of the disease.

Anyone over the age of 6 months can be approved for different forms of the vaccination. Those under 6 months should not be vaccinated. There are different brands of the vaccination approved for certain ages.

There is a brand that had been approved for use on children ages 6 months and older. There is a standard dose that has been approved for those 18-49. There is also a high dose shot for those 65 and older. You should get one injection per flu season.

MILD REACTIONS

• soreness, redness, swelling where the shot was given hoarseness sore, red or itchy eyes cough fever aches headache itching fatigue

MODERATE/SEVERE REACTIONS

• There may be a small increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after inactivated flu vaccine. This risk has been estimated at 1 or 2 additional cases of per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe complications from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine.

CONTINUED

• Young children who get the flu shot along with pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13), and/or DTaP vaccine at the same time might be slightly more likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information. Tell your doctor if a child who is getting flu vaccine has ever had a seizure.

Flu season in the U.S. can last from October to May. The flu virus can be transported up to 6ft. In recent flu seasons, 80-90% of flu deaths have been in those 65 years of age and older.

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