WINCHESTER, VA - With every winter season comes germs and the common illness known as the flu. It has posed symptoms that have been life threatening in the past.
Sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches and fatigue are all flu-like symptoms.
The contagious illness usually starts to show up in September and sticks around until early spring. Experts say the best prevention for all ages is the flu vaccine.
"Most at risk for serious illness from the flu would be small children, particularly infants and the elderly. Also at increased risk are those with preexisting medical problems such as renal disease, or immune deficiency problems. Those folks have an increase of serious illness or complications and should be immunized," says Charles Devine, health director of the Lord Fairfax Health Department.
The Lord Fairfax Health Department is one of the places where you can find the shot for a $25 fee.
"We'd love to be able to give it away free, but in fact, costs us to obtain the vaccine. We are simply as a state agency not able to provide the vaccine, this vaccine for free," adds Devine.
The vaccine is never 100 percent effective, but it has proved to strengthen the body's immune system. It takes about two weeks for the shot to kick in and protect against the flu.
Other recommendations to avoid the illness are to wash your hands frequently and avoid any close contact with those who are sick.
The Lord Fairfax Department will offer flu vaccines starting Monday, September 24th.
For more information, click here.
Sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches and fatigue are all flu-like symptoms.
The contagious illness usually starts to show up in September and sticks around until early spring. Experts say the best prevention for all ages is the flu vaccine.
"Most at risk for serious illness from the flu would be small children, particularly infants and the elderly. Also at increased risk are those with preexisting medical problems such as renal disease, or immune deficiency problems. Those folks have an increase of serious illness or complications and should be immunized," says Charles Devine, health director of the Lord Fairfax Health Department.
The Lord Fairfax Health Department is one of the places where you can find the shot for a $25 fee.
"We'd love to be able to give it away free, but in fact, costs us to obtain the vaccine. We are simply as a state agency not able to provide the vaccine, this vaccine for free," adds Devine.
The vaccine is never 100 percent effective, but it has proved to strengthen the body's immune system. It takes about two weeks for the shot to kick in and protect against the flu.
Other recommendations to avoid the illness are to wash your hands frequently and avoid any close contact with those who are sick.
The Lord Fairfax Department will offer flu vaccines starting Monday, September 24th.
For more information, click here.
