Flu Shot

What is the flu?

The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious viral respiratory infection. While the flu can range in severity, it typically causes severe symptoms, including:

• Fever and chills
• Sore throat and cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Children may also have vomiting or diarrhea when they have the flu. Flu symptoms usually develop suddenly and are often very disruptive.

What is a flu shot?

The flu shot is a vaccine for the flu virus that is expected to be most prevalent in a given year. You and your family should have flu shots as close to the beginning of flu season as possible, which usually runs from October through February.

In addition to the flu shot, you can opt for a nasal spray vaccination. The nasal spray is often useful for children and adults who are nervous about receiving shots.

How does the flu shot work?

The flu shot introduces a small, diluted amount of the flu virus into your body. While the amount of the virus in the vaccine isn’t enough to make you sick, your body responds by creating antibodies to fight off the infection. The antibodies stay in your system and are prepared to fight off the flu virus if you happen to come into contact with it later in the flu season.

Why does my family need a flu shot?

The flu is a potentially dangerous illness. Every year, tens of thousands of people are hospitalized or even die from flu complications. A flu shot can protect you from the virus and protect your health.

It’s especially important to have a flu shot if you interact with the public. For example, children and teachers who go to school and interact with dozens or even hundreds of other students and teachers every day have a high risk of coming into contact with the flu virus, and should have the flu shot.

Also, older adults or others with weakened or compromised immune systems should have flu shots to protect their health.

Why is a flu shot needed every year?

The flu is a rapidly mutating virus. This means that the flu virus changes quickly and that your flu shot from last year won’t protect you from the prevalent virus this year.

Call or book an appointment online today with Northlake Children’s Associates for your flu shot.