With fall officially here, it’s time to prepare to combat this year’s influenza (the “flu”).

Flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory system that peaks in the number of cases in the winter season. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population in the U.S. contracts the flu each year.

Symptoms of the flu, which primarily affect the nose, bronchial tubes and lungs, can include a high fever, muscle aches, sore throat and a nonproductive cough.

While the flu can make people of any age ill, young children, especially those under 5 years, and people over 65 are generally hit the hardest during flu season. The majority of adults and children have symptoms for only a few days, while others may experience a much more serious illness. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease and flu vaccines are safe. This season, the government recommends that all children ages 5-18 receive the flu vaccine in addition to all children 6-59 months and older children with underlying medical conditions.

It is important for adults who have close contact with children under 5 years and high-risk children to receive the flu shot. Since the vaccine cannot be given to infants younger than 6 months, the only protection for these children is to prevent their contacts from bringing the virus home to them.

Flu Shots
Plentiful supplies of flu vaccine will be available this season, but the sooner you can get your shot, the better; it typically takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective in your system.

FluMist nasal vaccine is an option
If you or your child are between the ages of 2 and 49 years and would like to get vaccinated against the flu without receiving a shot, then you can ask your healthcare professional about receiving FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. The vaccine is safe and highly effective.

Want to learn more about the flu? Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.