Moms Don’t Get Sick Days #NoTimeforFlu

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With three kids I need to feed and get to and from school and activities, I don’t have time to be sick. I don’t have time for one of them to be sick either! When one person is sick in my household, its like dominos and inevitably more of us will get it and we end up missing activities for the other family members because someone has to stay home and rest or is contagious. Being sick is no fun at all.

Well October marks the start of flu season (with peaks typically around January) and this year I am working my hardest to keep us healthy. While the flu can start out as a small with a cold or headache, it can quickly spread to a sore throat, muscle aches, runny/stuffy nose. A fever is pretty common too with the flu and with my school district you have to be fever free for 24 hours before you can go back to school. Last year I had a week of my kids being home straight as after one past the 24 hour mark of fever free the next one got a fever – it was a very long week in my house!

While a flu may not be as serious if someone in your family gets it, there are those that have a greater risk for complications with the flu. Seniors, pregnant women, young children and those with health complications like asthma or diabetes are most likely to suffer with the flu. I know for us we visit someone from all of those categories of people weekly and I would hate to be responsible for them getting extremely ill. I know though it can be hard to not infect others though as the flu can spread before someone even realizes they are sick. Most healthy adults can infect others 1 day before and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Kids and those with weakened immune systems have an even longer period.

Not sure if its the flu or just a cold? Your doctor or a MinuteClinic practitioner can check you out.

How can you protect your family from the flu?

A flu vaccination is the first line of defense against the flu. Eating right, exercising regularly, washing your hands and getting enough sleep can also help. The CDC recommends that anyone ages six months and older be vaccinated, including those who were vaccinated last season. Avoid contact with those that are sick, disinfect surfaces that your family often touches (phones, handles, faucets, keyboard, car…) and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs can spread easily that way.

Did you know there are several options available for flu shots?

Regular seasonal flu shot We are offering Trivalent and Quadrivalent shot this year

• Trivalent Vaccine (TIV) contains 2 A strains and 1 B strain of the influenza virus. This has been the standard flu vaccine since the late 1970s.

• Quadrivalent Vaccine (QIV) protects against an additional B strain. This vaccine was created based on research from the past 12 influenza seasons. This vaccine offers an additional layer of protection against the flu.

Intradermal shot for those who might be squeamish about needles (approved for adults 18-64; may not be covered by all insurance providers) We are not offering the intradermal shot this year.

High dose vaccination for customers 65 years and up (provides an elevated level of antigens, which create a stronger immune response in seniors)

MinuteClinic vaccinates patients 18 months and older. If you have a child between 6-18 months, they should receive their vaccination from a pediatrician. *Disclaimer: 18 months and older; 24 months in KY; 5 years and older in CT.”

Health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, typically cover the full cost of a flu shot, and MinuteClinic accepts most insurance as well as cash payments. Customers will receive a 20% off CVS/pharmacy Shopping pass when they get a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic. *Disclaimer: Not available in MA, RI, PA and NY. 

To learn more about the flu, how to keep yourself healthy, and what to do if you do get sick visit www.cdc.gov/flu and MinuteClinic’s vaccination offerings at: http://bit.ly/ZQZVDn.

Check out tips and ways to fight the flu from MinuteClinic Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer Angela Patterson here: http://bit.ly/1YzfdX9