The flu has arrived! Fayette County Memorial Hospital (FCMH) is already
seeing cases, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) flu activing is low but expected to pick up as fall progresses.
FCMH Medical Surgical Associates already has flu vaccines available at
the clinic and is ready to help you beat flu season.
Influenza viruses typically circulate in the United States annually, most
commonly from late fall through early spring. While most people recover
from the flue, it can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death,
particularly among older adults, very young children, pregnant women and
those with certain chronic medical conditions.
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. Everyone
six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine. There are important
benefits to the flu vaccine. It can reduce doctors’ visits, and
missed work and school due to flue, as well as prevent flue-related hospitalizations.
Flu vaccine has been shown to be life-saving in children as well. In fact,
a 2017 study showed that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s
risk of dying from flu.
There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as six months
of age and flu shots approved for use in adults over 65 years of age.
Shots are also recommended for use in pregnant women and people with chronic
health conditions. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected
should start the process sooner, because the two doses must be given at
least four weeks apart.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect
against flu to develop in the body. The CDC recommends that people get
a flu vaccine by the end of October, but getting vaccinated later can
still be beneficial.
For complete information about the flu vaccine, reach out to the professionals
at FCMH Medical Surgical Associates to make an appointment to discuss
the flu with a provider. To schedule, call 740.333.3333.