Why Flu Matters for Seniors?
Understanding flu prevention seniors vaccine is important for seniors and their caregivers. influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Flu can cause mild to severe illness. People 65 years and older are at higher risk of serious flu complications, along with young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease.
Flu vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
Flu Symptoms
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the influenza virus and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. If you are at higher risk of severe flu illness and get flu symptoms, call your health care provider early so you can be treated with flu antivirals if needed.
📖 What Is Get a Flu Vaccine Every Year?
What Is Get a Flu Vaccine Every Year?
The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine every year. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important action in reducing your risk of flu and its potentially serious outcomes. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, ideally by the end of October, but people should continue to get vaccinated as long as flu viruses pose a threat to their community.
Flu vaccines help reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths, and vaccination also reduces the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
📖 What Is Everyday Actions to Prevent the Spread of Flu?
What Is Everyday Actions to Prevent the Spread of Flu?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
- Improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air reduces the risk of exposure to viruses.
- Stay home if you are sick. CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours until your symptoms are getting better overall and you have not had fever without using fever-reducing medication.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
📖 What Are Flu Complications in Older Adults?
What Are Flu Complications in Older Adults?
Flu can lead to serious complications, especially for people 65 and older. These include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, and worsening of chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. The flu vaccine protects you from flu-related pneumonia and flu-related heart attacks or stroke, complications that are especially dangerous for people with diabetes or chronic heart or lung conditions. If you live with or care for someone at higher risk, including people in long-term care facilities, getting vaccinated yourself also helps protect them.
📖 What Are Treatment: Flu Antiviral Drugs?
What Are Treatment: Flu Antiviral Drugs?
If you are sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness. They are prescription medicines, available as pills, liquid, or inhaled powder, and are not available over the counter. Flu antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick, and they may prevent serious flu complications.
Studies show they work best when started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting later can still be helpful, especially if you are at higher risk. For people at higher risk, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between a milder illness and a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
📖 What Are Frequently Asked Questions?
What Are Frequently Asked Questions?
Q: Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
A: No. Flu vaccines contain inactivated viruses or a single protein from the virus and cannot cause flu illness. Some people have mild side effects like soreness or low fever, which are normal signs the body is building protection.
Q: Is it too late to get vaccinated after October?
A: No. Vaccination should continue as long as flu viruses are spreading in the community, which is often into spring.
Q: What should I do if I get flu symptoms?
A: Call your health care provider early, especially if you are 65 or older or have chronic conditions. Antiviral treatment works best when started within 2 days of symptoms.
Q: Do I need a flu vaccine every year?
A: Yes. Flu viruses change, and protection from the vaccine fades, so an annual vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
📖 What Are Key Takeaways?
What Are Key Takeaways?
- People 65 and older are at higher risk of serious flu complications.
- Get a flu vaccine every year, ideally by the end of October.
- Wash hands often, cover coughs, and improve indoor air quality.
- Stay home when sick until symptoms improve and fever is gone.
- If you get flu, ask about antiviral drugs early, within 2 days.
