It's hard to believe that it's THAT time of year. Flu season is upon us and no one wants to fall victim to the dreaded flu bug. At Raymond Chevrolet, we'll try and help you beat the flu this winter. On October 11, 2010 Raymond Chevrolet will be holding a flu shot clinic with Senior Car Pharmacy for those of you in need of getting a flu shot. The clinic will be held from 10 am - 12 pm right in the Raymond Chevrolet showroom at 118 Route 173 in Antioch, IL. The cost will be $20, a receipt will be provided for insurance reimbursement if necessary, and no-cost to Medicare Part B receipiants. Appointments can be made with Kim Neiss at 847-395-3600 or kneiss@raymondchevrolet.com
The flu is a contagious, respiratory disease which can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. It affects people of all ages as it spreads through the air from person to person. The virus can be as contagious as the common cold and is easily transmitted from people who are already infected. You can also get the flu from those who have been exposed, but have not yet developed symptoms. This means that you can be contagious and not even know it.
The flu is more serious than a cold, often causing severe symptoms such as body aches, exhaustion, high fever, respiratory inflammation, congestion, cough, and more. You could be ill for a week, with some symptoms lingering for up to a month. For people that are classified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as high-risk, it is especially important to get vaccinated. This group includes people over 65, health care providers, anyone with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorder, blood disorder, or an impaired immune system.
A flu shot is your best shot at protection.
The flu vaccine is 75 to 90 percent effective in preventing infection. Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from highly purified egg-grown viruses that have been rendered noninfectious.
The vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies that protect it against the virus. Even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. Each year the flu strain changes and your body slowly loses its immunity to the flu.
As with any vaccine, the flu vaccine has some side effects. Less than 1/3 of those who receive a flu shot will experience some soreness at the vaccination site, and only 5 to 10% will suffer mild side effects such as low-grade fevers and headaches. Anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to eggs or egg products should not receive a flu shot since the vaccine is grown in hens' eggs.
This year the CDC recommends that seasonal flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
The best way to protect you and your family against influenza is to get vaccinated each year.
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