Don't Risk Getting the Flu This Winter: Get Vaccinated

It’s autumn — back to school during the day, cooler temperatures on the way, and the start of flu season. Each year, from about October to about May, the number of cases of influenza increase around the United States.

You don’t have to suffer through the uncomfortable and potentially even dangerous symptoms of the flu. With steps like improved hygiene and vaccination, you and your family can stay protected from the flu this winter.

The primary care and family medicine doctors at Living Water Community Health and Wellness Clinic provide flu vaccinations for children and adults from conveniently located offices in Porterville, Lindsay, and Visalia, California. Getting your flu shot is quick and easy at our family practice walk-in clinic.

The risks of flu season

Anyone can get the flu, from children to parents to grandparents. Flu comes with multiple uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Fever and chills
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea, especially in children

The strain that the flu puts on your body can even become dangerous. You may develop complications, such as pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and bronchitis, after a serious case of the flu.

Flu can be particularly risky for babies, pregnant women, and people 65 and older. You may also face dangerous risks from the flu if you have certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, or a suppressed immune system.

You need a new flu vaccine every year, because the many viruses that cause the flu mutate constantly, requiring new vaccines to confer updated immunity.

Safe vaccination for your protection

Flu vaccines can help prevent you from catching influenza this winter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that your whole family get vaccinated every flu season, including children ages 6 months through 8 years, who may need two doses to keep them protected for the whole flu season.

You can’t get the flu from a flu vaccine, and you can receive other vaccines at the same appointment. About two weeks after your vaccination, your body will have developed immune system responses to protect you against this year’s flu strains.

Immediately after your vaccination, you might notice soreness, redness, or mild swelling around the area where you got your flu shot. Some people may experience symptoms including fever and muscle aches for a short time following vaccination. Let us know if you’ve previously had any reaction to a flu shot.

For full protection from this winter’s flu season, contact Living Water Clinic to schedule your vaccination appointment with a member of our experienced care team. You can book your appointment online, call the office, or walk in today.