Our health is our greatest asset, and a lot of times we can take that for granted while we run around during our day-to-day lives. Getting sick may happen often for some of you, while others feel like they never get sick, even when the flu and various colds are circulating around them.

If you are part of that group that seems to never get sick, don’t let your guard down! While you can consider yourself lucky that you are not often sick, it doesn’t mean that you never will be.

Getting your flu shot at AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail is a great way to add another layer of protection during this time of year. Read on to learn more about the importance of an annual flu vaccine.

What’s in the Flu Shot?

The flu virus changes a little bit from year to year, and there are different strains circulating at any given time. Because of that, the flu shot ingredients have to change along with it! The shot is reformulated every year to offer the best protection against the flu’s current strains.

Deactivated flu virus inside the shot is what kickstarts the immune response that your body needs in order to develop those important antibodies. Since the virus is not live, the shot itself cannot give you the flu. You may just feel run down for a day or two while your body works hard to create those antibodies.

Reasons Why the Flu Shot Matters

• It reduces your risk of death from the flu.
• It can control symptom severity if you do get sick.
• It can reduce the amount of days you are sick.
• It can help with herd immunity.

How Often Do Flu Complications Happen?

The majority of flu cases don’t become serious and will only make you feel sick for a few days. However, if you don’t have the flu shot, you always run the risk of experiencing a severe infection. Even if you have never gotten sick from the flu before, a single run-in with the virus this year is enough to make you really ill.

In rare cases, people can experience an extreme inflammatory response to the virus and can develop pneumonia, myocarditis or even inflammation of the brain. This can quickly lead to sepsis or multi-organ failure. Come see us for your annual flu shot to reduce this risk greatly!

Ways to Avoid the Flu This Year

• Get your annual flu shot.
• Wash hands regularly for 20 seconds each time with warm water and soap.
• Avoid others if they are sick.
• Eat well and stay hydrated.
• Make sleep a priority.

We want you to stay healthy! When you are ready for your annual flu shot, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail.