With flu season upon us, you may be wondering if you should stop by your family clinic and get a shot to combat the virus. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that anywhere from five to 20 percent of Americans will contract the flu every year, getting the vaccination is important to help you avoid the aches and pains of influenza, as well as the complications and even death that can result from flu. If you’re still unsure whether or not you should make the trip to your family clinic, consider the following facts about this nasty virus.

Why is the Flu Vaccine Important?

The symptoms of the flu can drastically range in severity, from mild signs like a runny nose and cough to body aches and a fever. Additionally, the flu virus can cause other complications, including dehydration, bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis. And last year, 80,000 people in the U.S. died from influenza and/or its complications. Getting vaccinated against the flu is quick and easy and will provide protection for you during flu season, which runs from October through February.

You may be a person who doesn’t get sick with flu, but it's not a great excuse to forego the shot. You'll be protecting others who may not have immune systems as strong as yours. Get the flu shot for the one next to you – the person at work, your nephew, your aging aunt, the friend’s newborn. Remember that you can be infected with flu before symptoms even develop, so staying home with the flu (a must) is not a foolproof way to keep from making others sick.

And because the flu can change strains every year, you will get a shot that is tailor-made to help prevent the current season’s virus. Due to the different needs of individuals, there are several variants of the vaccination. It’s safe and effective for almost everyone over the age of six months.

Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, MN, offers a variety of pertinent care options when it comes to health services for you and your loved ones. Whether you need a family clinic for important vaccinations or require emergency care, the medical providers at Mille Lacs Health System specialize in healthcare for patients of all ages. To learn more about what they have to offer, visit their website or call (320) 532-3154.