{"id":163,"date":"2011-11-11T19:17:30","date_gmt":"2011-11-11T19:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/?p=163"},"modified":"2011-11-11T19:19:17","modified_gmt":"2011-11-11T19:19:17","slug":"protect-you-and-your-family-from-the-flu-this-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thesoulpitt.com\/health\/protect-you-and-your-family-from-the-flu-this-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect you and your family from the flu this fall"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Expert advice from Dr. Rhonda M. Johnson<\/em><\/p>\n

As your calendar starts to fill up with fall activities, make sure to include flu shots on your family\u2019s list of things to do. Here are the five reasons I get a flu shot and make sure my family does too:<\/p>\n

1. It helps us stay well. <\/strong>If you have ever had the flu, you know how awful you feel. Flu symptoms usually start suddenly and include fatigue, fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and body and muscle aches that can last about two weeks.<\/p>\n

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2. It protects our loved ones. <\/strong>The flu virus is highly contagious. We put ourselves at risk for getting the flu and spreading it to those around us if we don\u2019t get a flu shot.<\/p>\n

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3. It helps us stay active. <\/strong>If we get the flu, we miss out on things that are important to us. It takes time away from work or school and other activities we enjoy.<\/p>\n

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4. It\u2019s safe. <\/strong>Flu vaccines have a very good safety record. Serious reactions are very rare. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine.<\/p>\n

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5. It saves lives. <\/strong>African-Americans experience more long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease than other groups. Having any one of these conditions can increase our risk of getting life-threatening complications from the flu.<\/p>\n

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Won\u2019t you join me in getting a flu shot this year? Here is some more information about influenza and how to keep you and your family healthy this upcoming flu season. <\/em><\/p>\n

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What is flu?<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and, at times, can lead to death.<\/p>\n

Many people don’t know if they are at high risk for complications from influenza. Some of the people who are at higher risk for complications from influenza include:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 People with asthma<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0 People with diabetes<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0 Adults 65 and older<\/a>
\n\u2022 \u00a0Pregnant women<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0 People who have HIV or AIDS<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0 People who have cancer<\/a>
\n\u2022\u00a0 Children<\/a> younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old<\/p>\n

Do<\/strong> flu shots cause the flu?<\/strong><\/p>\n

No, a flu shot does not cause flu illness. The flu vaccine contains inactivated (killed) viruses, which means they cannot cause infection. During flu season, other viruses that cause colds and flu-like symptoms are circulating. The flu vaccine will not protect people from these other viruses.<\/p>\n

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Where and when can I get a flu shot? <\/strong><\/p>\n