Lo que debe saber sobre las vacunas contra la influenza
7 de diciembre de 2021
Las vacunas contra la influenza no solo protegen a quienes se vacunan, sino que protegen a todos, incluida su familia y la comunidad. Renown Health experts help us understand why everyone should get a flu shot, including children, pregnant women and older adults.
Ways to Schedule Your Flu Shot |
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Flu Shot Information
Whitney Robinson, experta en prevención de infecciones de Renown Health
Chills, body aches, fever and congestion; getting the flu isn’t fun. When you get a flu shot, you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re also helping reduce the total flu cases and hospitalizations.
The ideal time to get your flu shot is September through October. This timing allows the vaccine to provide the strongest protection during the length of flu season. However, getting the vaccine later is better than not at all as it's still flu season well into spring.
Flu Symptoms
In general, influenza (flu) is worse than the common cold and shares symptoms with COVID-19, causing mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Symptoms include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone will have a fever)
- Cough and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches, muscle or body aches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
Who Needs a Flu Shot?
Almost everyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers it the first and most crucial step in protecting against the flu virus. Therefore, they recommend the yearly flu shot for those six months of age and older.
Does the Flu Shot Help with COVID-19?
The short answer is no. However, flu vaccines can reduce the risks of flu illness and hospitalization. Therefore, it is crucial for you to get your flu shot to not only protect yourself and the community, but also to help conserve vital, local healthcare resources.
CDC Resource: Quién debe recibir la vacuna contra la influenza y cuándo
Kids, the Elderly and Flu Shots
Vanessa Slots, M.D., Renown Medical Group
The flu is not a passing cold. It is a serious illness that takes lives every year and it happens like clockwork. The onset of flu season is fall and lasts through winter into the spring months. Esta enfermedad pulmonar es causada por virus y tiene brotes anuales en todo el mundo. Nadie es inmune y todos pueden contraer la influenza.
Flu Signs and Symptoms
- Quick onset of fever
- Dolor de cabeza
- Body aches and fatigue along with respiratory symptoms including cough
- Sore throat and nose
Who's at Risk for the Flu?
Los niños y las personas de edad avanzada corren un mayor riesgo de sufrir complicaciones por la influenza, específicamente los niños pequeños menores de dos años. At this age, their immunity is still developing. Las personas mayores de 65 también tienen un mayor riesgo porque sus sistemas inmunitarios se han debilitado con la edad.
The severity of a child’s symptoms depends on age and prior exposure to the virus. With young children, for example, the flu is more problematic since they cannot talk and communicate their symptoms.
As a result, children often experience higher fevers, which can lead to seizures or convulsions. This can be coupled with issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite, all of which put children at risk of dehydration and other complications that can require hospitalization. Un promedio de 20,000 niños son hospitalizados por influenza cada año.
Pre-Existing Health Issues
Ongoing health conditions including asthma, heart conditions, diabetes and more can intensify flu symptoms. Still, many children without risk factors can experience severe flu complications.
CDC Resource: Información sobre la influenza para padres
Pregnant Moms and Flu Shots
Tamsen Carson, PAC, Surgical First Assistant, OB/GYN, Renown Medical Group
“During pregnancy, your immune system wards off infection for your baby, leaving you more susceptible to infection and adverse health conditions,” Tamsen explains. Ella recomienda enfáticamente las vacunas contra la influenza para TODAS las mujeres durante el embarazo. You must receive the injected vaccine versus the live vaccine, a nasal spray, which can cause the flu to occur.
Passing Flu Immunity on to Your Baby
Además, recuerde que también podrá transmitir la inmunidad a su bebé si lo amamanta; esto protegerá a su bebé de la influenza.
CDC Resource: Seguridad contra la influenza y embarazo