Why Flu Shots Are Important?

Flu on beach ?

With millions of people getting infected with flu every year, it is important to understand the choices you make about flu shot. It is absolutely important to understand difference between cold and flu. Because, if you get flu, it is important to get help within 48 hours for the pills to be effective. I have explained the key differences at the end of this hub.

The FLU and its symptoms are more severe than those of the common cold. It causes severe cough, aches, pains. It lasts upto 2-3 weeks. Important to note is that it is easily preventable with a simple flu shot. With flu shot it is normally preventable or even if you catch a different strain of virus, the illness is very mild. It is very important to get a flu shot this year with the additional risk of swine flu.

These statistics are important : According to the US CDC, 35-50 million Americans are infected with influenza (the flu) during flu season.

So there is a very good chance that you or someone you know is likely to get flu.

So my question is why do you want to have a pain for two weeks .. let alone lost wages and discomfort with all the flu symptoms. I would always prefer a flu shot over getting flu itself.

You can greatly reduce your chances with the following information about the common cold and the flu. Don't be the next victim of flu. Do you know that, when you get flu after a long time, you would have lost immunity and flu is very severe. Only flu shot can give you that immunity other than flu itself.

FLU : Prevention and Treatment

How to Prevent and Treat flu

Do you know that, when you catch flu after a long time, you would have lost the immunity and flu is very severe. Only flu shot can give you the immunity other than flu itself.

PREVENTION: The flu is in an infection of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by the influenza virus and is spread through the air. The flu and its symptoms are more severe than those of the common cold. A flu shot can lower your chance of getting the flu. The best time to get the shot is from early October to the middle of November, but because flu often arrives late in the winter, shots can usually be given into February or March and still offer full benefit. So as they say.. have a flu shot NOT the flu.

TREATMENT: Most importantly, when you have the flu, you need rest. And until your symptoms are gone, it is a good idea to not go back to your full activity level. You also need plenty of liquids and juice. There are four antiviral medications available to treat the flu: Amantadine (Symmetrel) , Rimantadine (Flumadine) , Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) , Zanamivir (Relenza)

Note that, antivirals such as Tamiflu are only effective when taken within 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, and some forms of the virus have developed resistance to one or more of these medications.

For aches and fever associated with the flu, you can try acetaminophen, (brand : Tylenol ). For the congestion, stuffy nose, and cough, try a combination of decongestant and antihistamine.

Although once you get flu, these treatment options are important within 48 hours. It is more important to prevent it.. rather than treat it. With prevention you save your precious two weeks of time in your life. You save yourself from the suffering of cough and fever and also can live your regular life of work / fun / vacation. All thanks to a flu shot or flu vaccine. So as they say.. have a flu shot NOT the flu.

SEE BELOW : DIFFERENCE Between Cold and Flu

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rarely above 100.5°F-101°F, and then only for a day or so	Characteristic, high (102°F-104°F); last 3-4 days
General aches, pains	Slight	Usual; often severe
Stuffy nose, Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Chest discomfort, cough	Mild to moderate	Common; can become severe
Extreme exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent