Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious virus that infects the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs. Typical symptoms of the flu include, fever, chills, muscle aches, congestion,
cough, difficulty breathing.

During a flu outbreak Virginians flock to emergency rooms because they feel so terrible they can not manage their symptoms at home. Adults commonly miss up to a week of work even if they have no complication. And people who get sick commonly spread this highly contagious virus to others around them before they realize they have the flu. People with weakened immune systems, children, and pregnant women can become very ill and die from the flu if not vaccinated. Serious medical conditions often worsen when people are acutely ill from the flu. Every year in America thousand of people die of the flu and many more are hospitalized.

Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and those you love from infection.

There are 2 different types of flu vaccines. FluMist is a nasal spray that is recommended for healthy people between 2 and 49 years of age and does not require a shot. The flu shot is an inactivated virus and is for pregnant women and those who do not qualify for the FluMist. We can help you decide which vaccine is right for you.

Side effects from the vaccine include runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, tiredness/weakness. Contrary to popular opinion the flu vaccine can not give you the flu.

Millions of doses of flu vaccine have been administered nationwide and the vaccine has not been associated with any serious problems. As with all vaccines a very small risk of allergic reaction is possible.

Please note that the CDC notes that if all Americans followed the recommendation to get vaccinated we could SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES EVERY YEAR.

Go to CDC. Gov or vaccine.chop.edu for more information.