Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Winter 2018

No appointment necessary! Don’t let the flu put you on the sidelines. Get your flu shot today! $ 25 Flu Shots Don’t miss the big game. CareNow.com Leon Valley 5755 NW Loop 410, Ste. 102 San Antonio, TX 78238 210-963-8445 Stone Oak 20780 US Hwy. 281N San Antonio, TX 78258 210-963-8455 Open every day: Mon - Fri: 8am - 9pm | Sat: 8am - 8pm | Sun: 8am - 5pm UCSL-11248V102617-SAN Take your best shot It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine Even though this year’s flu season is in full swing, you can still help protect yourself from the flu if you get the vaccine now. As always, your best defense against the flu is to get a flu shot. Who needs it? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu. It’s especially important that people at high risk for getting complications from the flu—such as pneumonia—get the vaccine. That group includes kids younger than 5 years old; adults 65 and older; pregnant women; and people who have chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Anyone who lives with or is in close contact with someone on that list should also make getting the vaccine a priority. And there’s good news for people who previously could not get a flu shot because they’re allergic to eggs, which are used to manufacture vaccines. A flu vaccine called Flublok, which is made without using eggs, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults 18 and older. It takes several weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect. And since flu season can continue until May, the sooner you get your shot the better. What else can you do? Even if you’ve had your flu shot, you should take these steps to avoid the flu virus: ●  ● Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. ●  ● Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. ●  ● Stay away from others who have the flu. It’s also important to minimize the spread of germs to others. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away. If you get sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medicine. 6 K E E P I N G W E L L   W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S M E T H O D I S T H E A L T H C A R E ACHES/PAINS COUGH CHEST DISCOMFORT SYMPTOMS Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases SORE THROAT STUFFY/RUNNY NOSE VOMITING/DIARRHEA EXHAUSTION FATIGUE FEVER HEADACHE SNEEZING COLD FLU COLD FLU? Colds and the flu share some symptoms, but they are two unique conditions. or