CHI - St. Francis

Flu Season Is Around the Corner By Niva Dhakhwa, DNP, APRN, FNP-C Get your flu shot today! Influenza is a serious viral illness that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes causes death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people get the flu, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized, and thousands of people die from flu-related complications each year. The usual flu season begins as early as October and lasts as late as May. Every flu season is different, because the flu virus changes and adapts every year. As a result, new flu vaccines are created and released every year to stay up to date with these rapid changes. The best way to reduce your risk of getting ill with seasonal flu and spreading it to others is to get an annual flu vaccine. My expectations were exceeded when I had to make use of the Walk-in After Hours Clinic at CHI St. Francis. My experience with Niva was thorough, it was very professional, and she took the time to really examine what was wrong. Even more importantly, I received a call from her the next night asking how I was doing! Niva just went above and beyond. I would like to encourage you to make use of our local facility, and not feel that you have to take a drive out of town to find these kinds of quality services." — KAYE BRAATEN After vaccination, the flu vaccine usually prompts the immune system to produce antibodies in about two weeks, and those antibodies provide protection to fight against flu virus. The flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective in preventing flu, but it is the most effective method of protecting against the virus. The vaccine is made of inactivated flu viruses that are not infectious; therefore flu vaccine cannot cause flu illnesses. However, it may have some side effects such as fever, body aches, soreness, and redness or swelling at the site of injection. Many people misinterpret these side effects as flu symptoms. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older is vaccinated against the flu every season. Certain groups—such as children ages 6 months to 5 years, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions—are at a higher risk for getting influenza. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for these people. Flu symptoms, including high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, severe body aches, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and vomiting, have an abrupt onset. The flu can keep you out of work and bedridden for a week or more. Since influenza is a viral illness, an antibiotic does not work to cure it. If you are not sure whether you should get a flu shot, please consult your provider for further questions. Takeaway message: Prevention is better than a cure. Getting a flu shot is the single best way to protect against flu. Act now and get a flu shot today! 4 Highway 75 North and 210 West

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