Flu season is upon us. Influenza is a very contagious respiratory illness that causes fever, body aches, severe fatigue, sore throat, runny nose and dry cough. Complications such as pneumonia, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions can occur.

The elderly and the very young are most at risk of complications from influenza. In fact, 36,000 people die in the United States every year from influenza.

However, influenza is preventable. Yet less than 40 percent of the U.S. population was vaccinated last year. Why?

One problem is that there is a lot of misinformation about the flu shot and who should get it.

Anyone who wants to prevent getting sick should get the flu shot and it is available to everyone who wants it.

The people most at risk are those over the age of 50, and anyone of any age who has certain chronic medical conditions. Pregnant woman and women planning on being pregnant during flu season should also be vaccinated.

The recommendations have recently expanded to include all children aged 6 months of age to 19 years old. People who work or live with those at high risk should also be vaccinated.

So, if you are 22 years old but are around your elderly grandmother or small children, it is important to get vaccinated as to not get them sick.

Patients often say that they do not need to get the flu shot because they never get sick. This logic is analogous to not wearing a seatbelt because you have never been in a car accident.

For the elderly or those with a chronic medical condition, it only takes one severe influenza infection for a prolonged hospital stay or even death.

For young, normally healthy people, getting the flu can result in many days of missed work and income.

The most common myth out there is, “The flu shot makes you sick.” This is actually impossible. The virus in the flu shot is killed (inactivated) and actually cannot make you sick. The most common side effect of the flu shot is soreness at the injection site, and sometimes a mild ache or fever. These symptoms last only one-two days.

Flu shots are given during a time of the year when colds and upper respiratory infections are very common. Therefore, it is not uncommon for someone to get a cold close to the time he/she received a flu shot. The flu shot also takes two weeks to take effect so it is possible to get the flu in this two week time frame.

Another very common statement is, “I hear those flu shots don’t really work.” It is true that in some years the vaccine has not been as effective as in others. However, even in years when the match between the vaccine and the circulating virus strains is not great, the vaccine still prevents influenza in a large percentage of vaccinated adults and does an excellent job at preventing hospitalizations and death.

You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, or at numerous locations throughout Denver and the metro area. To find out about upcoming opportunities to get a flu shot at Denver Health, call 303-436-6100.