Get Ahead of Flu Season with Your Vaccine and Our Expert Tips

Unfortunately, summer is ending, which means cooler weather and falling leaves — but that's not all that changes. The colder weather of fall and winter means flu season is approaching quickly. If you're not careful, you could end up under the weather.

However, you don't have to sit back and let the flu take over. There are steps to take that help you prevent getting ill in the upcoming months. The flu vaccine is one preventive measure to avoid serious illness this winter.

If you're concerned about getting sick, the Calvary Urgent Care  team in Humble, Texas provides expert tips to keep your body healthy throughout the year. Dr. Joseph Goin, our board-certified primary care doctor, offers vaccines, physicals, and other treatments to keep you healthy during flu season.

When does flu season begin?

The influenza virus, or the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu often leads to uncomfortable respiratory symptoms, fever, and cough. However, it may lead to death in some people with compromised immune systems.

People can contract the flu all year round, but it's more prevalent in the fall and winter. According to the CDC, the prevalence of flu increases around October but peaks between December and February.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, the flu season has been more unpredictable than ever. However, it's still more prevalent in the colder months.

The scary thing about the flu is that it's highly contagious and pops up suddenly. Symptoms vary from person to person but usually involve any of the following:

• Fever
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Headache

Some people also experience a runny nose or congestion, while others may have diarrhea and vomiting. However, the latter is more common in children. The symptoms vary in severity and may last for several days to weeks.

The facts on the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu virus. There are various strains of the flu, and the vaccine helps protect your body against specific strains of the virus each year.

A vaccine is an effective way to give your immune system a way to fight off the virus quickly, reducing the symptoms you experience if you do come down with the flu.

The flu vaccine contains a dead, or inactivated, form of the virus, meaning you can't get sick from the shot. The goal of the vaccine is to alert your immune system to the presence of the virus so it can build antibodies against the live virus if you should come in contact with it.

The CDC recommends that everyone over six months old receive the flu vaccine yearly. Staying vaccinated is the single best thing you can do to avoid getting sick during flu season.

Other tips to stay ahead of the flu

Sometimes, simply staying vaccinated isn't enough to keep the flu from devastating your body. Although the vaccine makes you less likely to get seriously ill, it doesn't completely protect you from the virus.

The good news is that there are other ways to stay ahead of the flu and be healthy, even during peak flu season. Dr. Goins offers various tips to stay healthy, especially during the upcoming months.

A few expert tips he offers to stay healthy during flu season include the following:

• Avoid getting too close to others
• Wash your hands frequently
• Wear a mask in large public places
• Cover your mouth when coughing
• Stay home when you're sick
• Frequently disinfect high-touch areas at work and home
• Don’t touch your face, nose, and mouth

You should also talk to Dr. Goin about getting the COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself from harmful illness. Getting both vaccines increases your chances of staying healthy throughout the upcoming flu season and avoiding missed work days.

To schedule your flu vaccine today, call Calvary Urgent Care at 832-680-2273 or request an appointment with Dr. Goin on our website.