Americans are now more worried about the flu than ever. Although the threat of H1N1 viruses, more commonly known as “swine flu,”This has led to a greater awareness of flu season. However, it is important to protect yourself against the classic influenza virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 5 and 20 percent of Americans get the seasonal flu every year. Flu infections are responsible for around 36,000 deaths each year due to flu-related causes and hundreds of thousand hospitalizations. The best way of preventing seasonal flu is to get flu vaccines. These are easily available.
Take Care Clinics offer flu vaccinations for as low as $24.99 at hundreds locations throughout the United States. This is for patients 2 years and older. Take Care Clinics are professional, walk in health centers that are staffed by certified nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. They can be found at selected Walgreens drugstores throughout the United States. The availability of seasonal flu shots and a variety other medical services is extended seven days per week. You can find a Take Care Clinic at TakeCareHealth.com, or call 1-800-TakeCare (1 800 825 3227).
Seasonal flu vaccines are also available at Walgreens pharmacies across the U.S. www.walgreens.com/flu.
“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu and help keep people healthy during flu season,”Sandra Festa Ryan, RN and MSN, CPNP. FAANP, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer at Take Care Health Systems. “It is extremely important that children and adults get vaccinated to receive protection against this common, but dangerous, public health threat.”
To prevent the spread of seasonal flu, Americans should not only get vaccinated but also take some simple precautions.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Tissues should be thrown away after being used.
* Frequently wash hands with soap and water, especially after coughing of sneezing. Also, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be effective.
* Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. This is how viruses and infections can spread.
* If sick with flu-like symptoms, the CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine), except to get medical care or for other necessities.
