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Surviving flu season

A family medicine physician explains the importance of getting your flu vaccine during this year's flu season
medical professional preparing a flu shot

Winter comes with cozy blankets, lit fireplaces and cool evening nights. However, winter also usually coincides with the dreaded flu season. As a result, it is now time to get your flu shot.

“People in general should always get a flu shot if they can,” said Brandon Williamson, MD, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. “The one exception is if you’ve had a really bad reaction, called anaphylaxis, to a flu shot before. Even then I would go talk with your provider.”

Williamson recommends everyone age 6 months and up get their annual flu shot. If you do, your chance at contracting the flu greatly decreases as does the severity of the flu, if you do get it.

“We like to get people vaccinated before the season is in full swing, so by the end of October, but it’s never too late to be protected, even if it’s just for part of the season,” Williamson said.

Common flu symptoms are fever, body aches, sore throat and a runny nose. If you are concerned you have the flu, visit your primary care provider to get tested.

For Vital Record, I’m Tim Schnettler.

Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, grays@tamu.edu, 979.436.0611

Mary Leigh Meyer

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