GET YOUR FLU SHOT

While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons adults 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of catching a severe flu disease making it especially important for older adults to get an annual flu shot. People 65 years and older are at higher risk of serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults because human immune defenses become weaker with age.

For people at high risk, getting the flu can be more serious than for other people. Flu is more likely to lead to hospitalization or death for people at high risk. A yearly flu vaccine is the first and best protection against the flu and flu-related complications. You have the power to fight the flu this season and protect yourself as well as the ones you love from flu.

If you are 65 or older, or live with or care for someone who is, get your yearly flu vaccine. For more information about flu and flu vaccines, visit the Center for Disease Control’s flu resource page at cdc.gov/flu.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against the flu in your body. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and you start to experience any flu symptoms. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your flu illness. (Source: CDC.gov/flu

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COLDS & FLU