According to the CDC, the single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
Beginning with the 2010-11 flu season, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all people age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. The vaccination is especially important for people in high risk groups, including:
Each year, a flu vaccine is developed based on recently circulating strains of the flu virus. When the vaccine is given, antibodies that provide protection against the flu develop in the body.
October and November are the most effective months for vaccination. You can get vaccinated as early as September, and vaccines are generally available and of value until January or beyond.
For more information on the flu, see the following websites:
Newport Urgent Care H1N1 Flu (swine flu) information
American Lung Association Faces of Influenza Site
Center for Disease Control Flu Information
Disclaimer: The links above are to sites independent of NewportUrgentCare.com. The pages will open in a new browser window. The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding your specific medical questions, treatments, therapies, and other needs.