State health officials urge you to get flu vaccine soon

MADISON -- State health officials reminded Wisconsin residents on Friday, October 19th to get their annual influenza vaccine because flu season has already started and is expected to worsen. Flu season for Wisconsin generally runs from late October to May, with peak activity around early February.

To get your flu shot, contact your healthcare provider, local public health department or tribal health clinic, or go to flu.gov to find a flu vaccination center near you. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza vaccine will continue to be shipped to Wisconsin throughout the flu season.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. The flu vaccine helps prevent complications that can be caused by the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization.

With few exceptions, officials recommend that individuals aged six months and older be immunized. Getting vaccinated against influenza is especially important for people aged 50 and older, and those with underlying health conditions. It is equally important for those who have frequent contact with young children to get vaccinated, as children are hospitalized or die from flu complications each year in the U.S.

Influenza symptoms can come on quickly and include fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches and tiredness.

To protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu, officials suggest taking the following steps:

    If you think you have the flu, stay home, get rest, drink plenty of liquids and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. If your symptoms persist, contact your doctor. To learn more about influenza, CLICK HERE.