Important facts about the Flu and Senior Home Care
According to the CDC, the results from last year’s Influenza season reflect the severity level to be high among all age groups; so let’s find out more information about the flu and what can be done to reduce the severity.
FAQ’s about the Flu
What is “the flu”?
“Flu” is short for influenza, a contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat and lungs. It can make you feel awful. Severe cases can even lead to death.
Best way to protect yourself from getting the flu?
Get your annual flu shot
When is flu season?
The flu season occurs in the fall and winter, but the virus can stay active year-round.
What do flu shots cost?
Your flu shot may be free with medical insurance or Medicare Part B. There is no co-payment unless required by your plan. Indirectly, through your employer or if you have a public health insurance exchange, your health insurance is now required to pay for your flu shot without any co-payment due to Affordable Care Act coverage rules (when given by an in-network provider). If you are over age 65, Medicare Part B covers the cost of flu shots. And most state Medicaid agencies cover the cost of flu shots for Medicaid participants as well.
When do I get my flu shot?
The vaccine provides protection about 2 weeks after you receive it. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend getting vaccinated each flu season as soon as you can.
Who should get vaccinated?
The CDC recommends a seasonal influenza vaccination every year for everyone 6 months old and older.
Who should NOT get vaccinated or should wait
Some people need to talk with a doctor first before getting a flu shot. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to eggs.
- Those persons who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- Some who have developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
- Others who have a moderate to severe illness or are feeling sick.
What are the side effects of the influenza vaccine?
You might have some minor side effects after getting a flu shot, including but not limited to:
• Soreness, redness or swelling of the skin where you got the shot
• Low-grade fever
• Body aches
If you feel any of these side effects, don’t worry. You should feel better within 1 to 2 days. If not, please report any side effects to your health care provider.
What is the difference between available flu vaccines?
• 4-strain (quadrivalent) vaccine: protects against 4 different strains of flu virus
• Quadrivalent and senior-dose flu shots are available at most health care providers
• Senior-dose vaccine: developed for people over 65 years old
At Canyon Lake Senior Home Care, we take flu prevention seriously. We require all of our caregivers to receive a flu shot annually and we encourage each of our clients to receive the vaccine annually as we provide transportation to any client seeking to receive the flu vaccine.
In our next post, we’ll discuss where to go to get your flu shot.
