Jackson Hospital | Partners | Fall 2017

jackson.org 9 COMMUNITY TAGLINE HERE WELLNESS Take aim at the flu Who should get a flu shot? Chances are, the answer is you! Nearly everyone 6 months and older needs to get this yearly vaccine. That’s because the flu can make people very sick and cause serious complications. People miss a significant amount of time from work or school because of the flu. Even worse, every year people are hospi- talized or die from the flu. The vaccine is particularly recom- mended for people who are most vulner- able to the flu and its complications, including: •  Children 6 months to 4 years old •  People 50 and older •  People with weak immune systems •  People with chronic lung, heart, kidney and other diseases •  Women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season •  Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities •  People who live with or care for children younger than 5 years old and adults 50 and older There are rare exceptions to the flu-shot rule. For example, people who have severe, life-threatening allergies to a flu vaccine or any ingredients in a vaccine shouldn’t get it. Or people who have a history of a disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome should talk to their doctor before getting a flu shot. When to roll up that sleeve It’s best to get vaccinated before flu season hits hard. Some children need to get two doses of the vaccine. (Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re not sure whether that’s the case for your child.) Experts recommend that those kids get their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Our urgent care centers offer flu shots. For addresses and directions, go to jackson.org . Click on the “Locations” tab. Colds and the flu share some symptoms, but they are two unique conditions. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases COLD FLU COLD FLU Aches/pains Cough Chest discomfort Exhaustion Fatigue Fever Headache Sneezing Sore throat Stuffy/runny nose Vomiting/diarrhea OR SYMPTOMS