If you haven’t got a flu shot yet this season, do it soon! The Centers for Disease Control reports that flu activity has been on the rise of late, with 24 states reporting widespread influenza activity and 19 states reporting high levels of influenza-like illness activity.
These increases come on the heels of the 2017-18 flu season, which caused the deaths of an estimated 80,000 Americans – the most flu-related deaths in at least four decades. This season isn’t expected to be quite that severe, but the rise in activity still underscores the need for preventive measures, starting with a flu shot.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older should get vaccinated for influenza. If you haven’t had your annual wellness exam yet, it’s the perfect opportunity to get two things done at once. Your family doctor can give you a shot provided you’re not already sick.
Keep in mind that the vaccine takes about two weeks to begin working, so be sure to take other steps to reduce your risk of flu. Wash your hands frequently, stay away from people who are sick, and keep your hands away from your face (especially your eyes, nose, and mouth). And it’s important to get vaccinated each year, as influenza strains are always changing and the vaccinations change as well.