Think you know everything there is to know about the flu? Here are five flu facts that you need to know to keep you healthy this flu season.
CVS/pharmacy and Target have teamed up to give you better health and more time for the things that count.
I love almost everything about the autumn. (Of course, I would, right?)
Crisp mornings, cool evenings, beautiful temperatures…it’s like a freaking postcard until IT takes you over.
And then you start reaching for the tissues, the blanket, and a big bowl of chicken noodle.
It’s not just autumn – it’s flu season and he came after you.
Any parent knows once flu finds its way to your home, he’s here to stay and wreak havoc on your lives.
So what do you do? The CDC and the Worldwide Health Organization both recommend the fnfluenza shot for almost everyone.
But last year you got the shot and you still got the flu…so what’s the point? And what about this year’s strain?
With all the conversations happening and flu season looming, it was time to get down to the point and get some answers. So off to CVS / pharmacy Inside Target to find out if my flu facts were really fiction.
FLU FACT OR FICTION
1. “I will get the flu if I get a flu shot.”
First off, the flu vaccine does not cause the flu. That’s right, you don’t get the flu from your shot. You get it from the virus that is spread through germs of the carrier that has it. Period. And while yes, you might get the flu after you get the flu shot, by merely having the vaccine, you’re more than likely going to have a lesser case of the flu than you would have without it.
2. “I have a fever, a runny nose and feel like crap, so I have the flu.”
Nope, that’s not true either. The flu and the flu are both upper respiratory conditions and share several of the same symptoms (achy, sneezing, runny nose, etc.) although the flu can be much worse and lead to pneumonia.
However, there are several things that distinguish the two and you and only know you have the flu if you are tested by your physician. Unfortunately, both are spread through the air through coughs or sneezes from others, skin-to-skin contact (handshakes or hugs), spit (kisses/drinking after each other) and contact with items that have germs already over them. So without being about to keep you or the kids in a sterile box all flu season (considered most of the fall/winter time), you get the flu vaccine to decrease the chances of not getting the flu.
3. “This year’s flu shot is not effective because the flu strain has morphed.”
Every year the flu strain changes. That’s a fact of nature and that’s why the vaccine is developed each season in efforts to fight the current strain. Unfortunately, that doesn’t meant that the flu shot you receive this year will take care of all of them. This is when outbreaks happen, making a real big mess for all of us.
Because of this year’s strain, doctors have recommended that no one use get the the mist version though. “So shot, shot, shots – EVERYBODY…”
4. I don’t have the money for the flu shot.
You know what’s expensive? Several bottles of over-the-counter flu medications that will never work, two or three visits to the urgent care clinic, and all the sick days to finally get well. What’s not expensive? The one shot that takes less five minutes at CVS / pharmacy Inside Target. Most health insurance providers cover the flu vaccine. And when you get yours at CVS, you also get a $5 Target gift card!
5. I don’t have time for the flu shot.
Did you have enough time to get a Starbucks, grab a few groceries or try on that shirt in Target? Then you have enough time to get your flu shot at CVS / pharmacy. I went to test the process and here’s exactly how long it took:
Ok, there was a little paperwork, but I was able to do it ALL on my schedule, after work, after practice, and as I was picking up dinner WITH the kids. It took very little time out of my crazy day and no appointment was needed.
That’s a fact.
Learn more about safeguarding yourself from the flu and CVS / pharmacy Inside Target here.
Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment: