October marks the start of flu season. Flu shots are included in health care plans. Here in Saint Louis several area hospitals and clinics offer the shot for free.
The flu shot does not cause the flu! A flu shot for caretakers prevents spreading the virus. If you should get the flu with the shot, it means you may have been exposed to the virus before the shot, or that the shot did not target your specific virus. However, any flu symptoms with the flu shot should be milder, shorter in duration, and more manageable.
For infants and individuals over 65, the flu can lead to other complications including pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and even death.
Other ways to avoid the flu include frequent handwashing, avoiding people with the flu, getting enough rest, and a healthy diet.