Flu season is well underway, and you’ve likely noticed coworkers and friends sniffling and sneezing. Don’t underestimate the flu—it can have serious consequences when untreated. The only sure way to protect you and your family is by getting a flu shot from your primary care physician. It’s an essential health care decision, and below, you’ll find some of the key benefits you’ll experience.

Why Flu Shots Are Important for the Whole Family

1. Protecting Against New Strains

Each year, new forms of the flu virus develop, and the flu shot you received the year before isn’t tailored to defend against it. By now, your immune system will have also weakened against fighting the flu, which is why you need an updated shot. Your primary care physician will have the most up-to-date vaccine and can educate you on best practices to add additional protection against the virus.

2. Stopping the Spread

The flu can quickly spread around your home and workplace. Getting a flu shot isn’t simply for your own well-being—it’s also a courtesy to those around you. You can be confident you aren’t responsible for spreading the flu and also positively contribute to reducing the extent that it’s infecting people worldwide.

3. Preventing Health Complications

The CDC advises that the flu is responsible for between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths each year as well as over 200,000 hospitalizations. While many people will only experience traditional side effects and a week in bed, it is possible to develop much more serious health problems. There’s no way to know how the body will respond to the virus, which is why you should always play it safe by getting a flu shot from your primary care physician.

The health care team at Palladium Primary Care is committed to ensuring residents of High Point, NC, make it safely through flu season. If you’re overdue for a shot, schedule an appointment with a primary care physician by calling (336) 841-8500. They offer a variety of other services, including emergency care, all of which you can explore online.