It’s no fun to have the flu. Aches, chills, fevers, coughing, running noses…it’s a recipe for a miserable time. And while millions of people get the flu each year and only suffer for a few days, there are plenty of individuals for whom the flu could be life-threatening. Not only are there higher risks for our children, elderly, and immunocompromised, but there are additional risks this year as well, for all of us. With the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the potential complications are even more dire.
Nobody wants to get the flu, and thankfully there is an easy way to dramatically reduce your risk of getting infected. With the flu shot! The yearly flu vaccine can help prevent the spread of this illness, and not only protect you and your family, but those higher-risk people in your community. Both the flu (influenza) and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses and getting a flu shot can cut down on the potential issues associated with having two of these illnesses circulating in the population at the same time.
It’s never been easier to get your flu shot in Oakbrook, thanks to local urgent care facilities. You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment or stand in a long line at a clinic somewhere- simply walk in or make a same-day appointment for a flu shot. For the vast majority of people, the side effects of the flu shot are mild, and disappear within a few days. These may include redness or soreness at the injection site, mild headache, fatigue, or other minor flu-like symptoms. This is often a sign that the body’s immune system is working.
Getting a flu shot has never been more important than it is now, in the face of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. While the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, it will lessen your chances of getting the flu and placing strain on the already-burdened healthcare system. The fewer people that get the flu this year, the more resources we’ll have to fight the pandemic!
Do your part to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community. Check out your local urgent care or immediate care clinics in Oakbrook, for a quick and easy flu shot experience.