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Help Protect Yourself from the Flu
For older adults, people with
chronic heart or lung disease,
or those whose immune
systems are damaged, the
flu can be dangerous,
leading to pneumonia and
other complications.
Flu shots can help prevent
the flu. They also can lessen
the severity of symptoms if
you do get the flu. Since new
strains of flu appear every
year, getting a flu shot should
be an annual event for people
age 50 and older. The best
time is September to mid-
November, six to eight
weeks before flu season.
If you are late getting your
shot, or if other illnesses put
you at high risk for complications,
talk to your doctor about
antiviral drugs. While not as
effective as flu shots, these
medications have been shown
to help prevent the flu.
Since the flu is not a bacterial
infection, antibiotics
won’t help. Instead, experts
recommend bed rest, plenty
of fluids, and over-the-counter
medications such as aspirin
or acetaminophen.
Complications can occur as
a result of the flu. Symptoms of
these typically show up after
you start to feel better. Call
your doctor if you develop any
of these warning signs:
- High fever
- Shaking chills
- Chest pain with each breath
- Coughing that produces thick, yellowish-green mucus
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