McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) wants you to know the facts about the flu.
- Who is at risk?
- How is it spread?
- What are the symptoms?
- How do you protect yourself, your family?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu shot for everyone 6 months and older as the best protection against influenza. MCDH has flu clinics starting on Wednesday September 14. Appointments for mercury-free shots ($30) for adults and children 9 years and older can be made by calling 815-334-4510 or online at www.mcdh.info.
High risk individuals include pregnant women, adults 65 and older, children younger than 5 years old and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart and lung disease. Influenza is highly contagious respiratory illness which even healthy people can get. It spreads person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body aches. A good way to reduce spreading the flu virus is to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently and staying home when you are sick.
As the flu season is long and unpredictable, MCDH encourages residents to get a flu shot as early as possible as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. A flu shot protects not only you but those around you – especially high risk individuals who can suffer complications and possible hospitalization from the flu. Vaccination is also important for healthcare workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people like schools and childcare providers.
For more information on the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu.
High risk individuals include pregnant women, adults 65 and older, children younger than 5 years old and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart and lung disease. Influenza is highly contagious respiratory illness which even healthy people can get. It spreads person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body aches. A good way to reduce spreading the flu virus is to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently and staying home when you are sick.
As the flu season is long and unpredictable, MCDH encourages residents to get a flu shot as early as possible as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection. A flu shot protects not only you but those around you – especially high risk individuals who can suffer complications and possible hospitalization from the flu. Vaccination is also important for healthcare workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people like schools and childcare providers.
For more information on the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu.
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