Abigail Johnson and Ruben Castillo
Contributing Writers
10/16/18
What is something you can catch but cannot grab? The answer is Influenza!
Being halfway through the semester, you have probably heard some sniffles throughout the halls. You may feel as if
you are constantly saying “Gesundheit!” to sneezing students, grimacing at a juicy cough, and just hoping that you don’t end up like that guy. Well, it’s safe to say that if you don’t take preventative action, you just might! It is estimated that more than 200,000 people get hospitalized due to flu and flu complications each year (Influenza (Flu), n.d.).
A common complication of Influenza that leads to hospitalization is pneumonia. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, in the past decade an average of 3,500 deaths a year are associated with influenza and pneumonia.
Why should you get a flu shot? What is influenza? According to the CDC, influenza is a “contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs.” Symptoms include “fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.” The flu shot can help protect you from this virus! Some common misconceptions about the influenza vaccination is that it doesn’t work or that the vaccine itself causes sickness. However, the CDC reports that the “Flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get ‘sick’ and, ‘reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%’.”
Influenza is a virus that is constantly changing, which is why the vaccine doesn’t always work 100% of the time. If you do happen get sick after getting the flu vaccination, you are likely much less sick than if you had not gotten the flu vaccine.
Where can you get the flu vaccine? The CDC states that “you should get a flu vaccine by the end of October. However, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season, even in January or after flu season.” This October, take care of yourself and get your flu shot! Local grocery stores and pharmacies such as Jewel-Osco, Walgreens, and Walmart administer flu shots. Contact your healthcare provider or use this online tool (https://
vaccinefinder.org) to find additional locations near you. Your health is worth it!
castrube@my.dom.edu
ajohnson1@my.dom.edu
