Well, I did it. I got my flu shot. Every year I wonder whether or not I should get the flu vaccine. Since I want to avoid getting the flu and also spreading germs as much as possible, I have decided to get the shot early.
If you have ever suffered throught the flu, you know that the flu usually hits us much harder than a cold.
Flu symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and headaches, can actually last up to 14 days. Pneumonia is also a possible complication of the flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting vaccinated for flu every year is the best way to keep the virus away. The CDC also recommends getting vaccinated as soon as the shots become available in your community (before December). Vaccinating early gives your body time to develop virus-fighting antibodies before the flu season actually kicks in.
The vaccine is recommended for children over 6 years of age. Receiving the flu vaccine is very important for those who are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition like heart disease, asthma, or diabetes.
To prevent the flu, wash your hands after wiping your nose and before eating. Also, try sneezing or coughing into a tissue. Don’t have a tissue? Cough into a sleeve. Remember to wipe down kitchen counters, doorknobs, cell phones and computers with a microfiber cloth and a natural homemade cleaner, such as vinegar.
