Fall is here and that brings with it cooler weather, the start of holidays, pumpkin everything and don’t forget – Flu Season! If you’ve ever had the flu you know how miserable it can be. Common symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, dry cough, stuffy or runny nose and muscle aches. MAJOR Yuck!
And the flu can spread before someone even realizes they’re sick. Most adults can infect others 1 day before and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. So just avoiding sick people won’t protect you.
So what can we do to help protect ourselves and our families? Eating right, exercising, washing your hands regularly and getting enough sleep can help, but the single most effective way to avoid getting the flu, is to get a seasonal flu shot. Vaccination is the first line of defense against the flu.
Being 6 months pregnant myself, my doctor stressed to me the importance of having a flu shot. Because although anyone can get the flu, certain people are at a greater risk for complications, such as seniors, pregnant women, young children and those with certain health complications like asthma or diabetes. It only took a few minutes to get my flu shot and I was on with my day. I feel better knowing that me and my baby are protected. 🙂
CVS wants to help us stay healthy AND save money, so they are offering customers a 20% off CVS/pharmacy Shopping pass when they get a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic. (*Disclaimer: Not available in MA, RI, PA and NY). Plus CVS accepts most insurance so your shot may even be covered. CVS pharmacists administer vaccinations at over 7,800 CVS/Pharmacy locations, so there’s bound to be one near you.
And don’t worry, you can’t get the flu from the flu shot since the vaccine is made from an inactivated (dead) virus, so it cannot give you the flu. There are various flu shot options available so be sure discuss these at your local CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic.
Think you might be sick? Get help right away! Early flu treatment (within 72 hours of exposure to the virus) has been proven to reduce the length and severity of illness. If you are unsure if it’s the flu or just a cold, see your doctor or a MinuteClinic practitioner.
To learn more about the flu, visit the CDC and check out tips and ways to fight the flu from MinuteClinic Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer Angela Patterson HERE.
I received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic. Opinions are 100% my Own.
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