It may seem like it’s too early to start talking cold and flu season. After all, the last day of summer is not until Sept. 21.

But “the sooner you get a flu immunization, the sooner it starts working for you,” said Dr. Steve Welsh, family practice physician with the Intermountain Hurricane Valley Clinic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu season in the United States can begin as early as October, and flu vaccines take about two weeks to become fully effective. That means that September is the perfect time to be immunized.

The CDC estimates that between 3,000 and 49,000 Americans die from the flu every year. The best way to keep from getting the flu is to be vaccinated.

Generally speaking, everyone over six months old should be immunized against the flu. The main exception would be those who have had an adverse reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. “An adverse reaction is not a mild fever or feeling a little ill for 24 to 48 hours,” said Dr. Welsh. “If you have developed an actual rash from a flu vaccine, experienced nausea or vomiting, or developed difficulty in breathing, you should consult with your physician before having a flu shot.”

Flu vaccinations are most strongly encouraged for certain groups who are especially susceptible to complications from the flu, including:

• People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease

• Pregnant women

• People younger than five years (and especially those younger than two)

• People 65 years and older

In addition, people who care for or live with others who are at risk should be immunized. “The more people we immunize, the more we can protect those who are most susceptible to complications, hospitalization, or worse,” said Dr. Welsh. “This is especially true with babies under six months who can’t be immunized.

“Most of us get three or four viruses per year,” he continued. “These are generally colds, and while they can be miserable for a couple of days, they are not what we are trying to prevent with the flu immunization,” said Dr. Welsh. “We are trying to prevent potentially deadly flu. This kind of flu can be scary, especially when we see it in pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.”

Source: The Spectrum

CDC Info: Visit the CDC Website