#12– Flu Season is Coming! Get Ready!

The Healthy Rotarian - #12 – Flu Season is Coming!  Get Ready!

It’s not possible to predict what the 2014-15 flu season will be like. Flu seasons are unpredictable. While flu spreads every year, the timing, severity, and length of the season usually varies from one season to another.  Flu viruses are constantly changing so it's not unusual for new flu viruses to appear each year. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the main flu viruses that research suggests will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, ideally by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins. In addition to getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.  It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. It’s possible to get sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated (although you won’t know for sure unless you get a flu test).  For more details go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2014-2015.htm

Nurse Sipple