Flu season nears: CDC warns high-risk groups to vaccinate by October
The flu, a contagious respiratory illness, is causing concern as the season approaches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges specific groups to get vaccinated by the end of October.
Flu symptoms, including fever, coughing, chills, body aches, and fatigue, can begin suddenly, often within one to four days after exposure. Worryingly, individuals can spread the virus a day before symptoms appear. The CDC recommends vaccination for those over 65, with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and children under five.
Vaccines, such as trivalent and quadrivalent, are available and approved for different age groups. It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to work, so timely vaccination is crucial. Though the vaccine may cause mild reactions, it does not cause the flu. However, it's possible to get the flu after vaccination due to waning immunity or different virus strains.
Flu season typically runs from October to May, but infections can occur in the fall and spring. Certain groups, like young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions, are at higher risk for complications. The CDC stresses the importance of annual vaccination, as a new vaccine is needed each year due to viral changes.
