Have You Gotten Your FLU SHOT?

HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR FLU SHOT? GET IT TODAY! An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and spread it to others. Why get vaccinated? Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is unique and influenza infection can affect people in different ways. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Influenza How You Get virus the Flu: Respiratory tract 1. The virus enters the respiratory tract. 2. Once inside the respiratory tract, the virus starts to replicate itself. The respiratory tract becomes swollen and inflamed. 3. From the respiratory system, the virus enters the bloodstream where the first flu symptoms begin to show. Flu Symptoms: • Coughing •Sneezing o Fever Body aches Runny nose and/or congestion Fatigue The flu also weakens the immune system, leaving it vulnerable to more serious infections. Some individuals in particular may be susceptible to serious complications, such as: • Bacterial pneumonia Dehydration • Sinus problems and ear infections (primarily in children) Worsening of preexisting conditions, such as asthma or diabetes How do flu vaccines work? Flu Virus Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the flu virus. Antibody Types of flu vaccines: 1. The "flu shot" an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people 2. The nasal spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray. The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. Who should get vaccinated this season? Everyone who is at least 6 months of age. Who should NOT get vaccinated this season? Children younger than 6 months of age. People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs. People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination before. People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated). People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you. When should I get vaccinated? The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as flu season vaccines become available. October 2012 SON MON TUE WED THU FRI 30 12 34 56 SAT 910 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 1920 [20322 23 24 25 26 27 Influenza seasons are 26) 29 30 31 1 unpredictable, and can begin as early as October. Where can I get a flu shot? Mount Sinai Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctors' offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers and even in some schools. Getting vaccinated each year provides the best protection against influenza throughout the flu season. Information for this graphic referenced trom: Mount htp//www.cdc.gowifuprotectikeyfacts. htm Sinai O 2012 The Mount Sinal Medical Center, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content, but you must aftribute the work to Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York. HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR FLU SHOT? GET IT TODAY! An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and spread it to others. Why get vaccinated? Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is unique and influenza infection can affect people in different ways. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Influenza How You Get virus the Flu: Respiratory tract 1. The virus enters the respiratory tract. 2. Once inside the respiratory tract, the virus starts to replicate itself. The respiratory tract becomes swollen and inflamed. 3. From the respiratory system, the virus enters the bloodstream where the first flu symptoms begin to show. Flu Symptoms: • Coughing •Sneezing o Fever Body aches Runny nose and/or congestion Fatigue The flu also weakens the immune system, leaving it vulnerable to more serious infections. Some individuals in particular may be susceptible to serious complications, such as: • Bacterial pneumonia Dehydration • Sinus problems and ear infections (primarily in children) Worsening of preexisting conditions, such as asthma or diabetes How do flu vaccines work? Flu Virus Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the flu virus. Antibody Types of flu vaccines: 1. The "flu shot" an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people 2. The nasal spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray. The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. Who should get vaccinated this season? Everyone who is at least 6 months of age. Who should NOT get vaccinated this season? Children younger than 6 months of age. People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs. People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination before. People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated). People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you. When should I get vaccinated? The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as flu season vaccines become available. October 2012 SON MON TUE WED THU FRI 30 12 34 56 SAT 910 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 1920 [20322 23 24 25 26 27 Influenza seasons are 26) 29 30 31 1 unpredictable, and can begin as early as October. Where can I get a flu shot? Mount Sinai Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctors' offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers and even in some schools. Getting vaccinated each year provides the best protection against influenza throughout the flu season. Information for this graphic referenced trom: Mount htp//www.cdc.gowifuprotectikeyfacts. htm Sinai O 2012 The Mount Sinal Medical Center, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content, but you must aftribute the work to Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York.