Want to avoid the annual sneezing and coughing sessions, bundled up in your bed, watching the ‘Games of Thrones’ re-runs for the 7th time? Warding off flu is totally in your power, provided you properly prepare for the challenge. Here are some tips and tricks on how to give your immune system a boost (now is the best time to do it!) and stay healthy.
1. Getting a Flu Shot in Hialeah
Yes, you guessed it. Getting a flu shot is your best chance to avoid getting sick. According to the most recent study conducted by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), a flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu by 50%-60%1. To quote the study, here are just a couple of benefits of getting a flu shot:
- Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
- Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization, including among children and older adults.
- A 2014 study* showed that flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
- Another study published in the summer of 2016 showed that people 50 years and older who got a flu vaccine reduced their risk of getting hospitalized from flu by 57%.
- Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
- Vaccination was associated with lower rates of some cardiac events. Among people with heart disease, especially among those who had had a cardiac event in the past year.
- Flu vaccination also has been shown to be associated with reduced hospitalizations among people with diabetes (79%) and chronic lung disease (52%).
- Vaccination helps protect women during and after pregnancy. Getting vaccinated can also protect a baby after birth from flu. (Mom passes antibodies onto the developing baby during her pregnancy.)
- A study that looked at flu vaccine effectiveness in pregnant women found that vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection by about one half.
- There are studies that show that flu vaccine in a pregnant woman can reduce the risk of flu illness in her baby by up to half. This protective benefit was observed for up to four months after birth.
- Flu vaccination also may make your illness milder if you do get sick.
- Getting vaccinated yourself also protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.2
Given all of the above, it’s no wonder that flu shots are so popular among patients at Ritecare Medical Center. If you’d like to find out more or schedule a Flu Shot in Hialeah, don’t hesitate to contact us.
2. Getting enough sleep
Your body needs rest in order to heal. We can’t even begin to list all of the benefits of getting enough sleep! There are so many vitamins, supplements, and other similar products available, aimed at giving your immune system a boost. But know this – sleep is the best possible preventive when it comes to flu. And make sure you’re getting enough of the good-quality sleep. 7 hours is an optimum amount for the immune system to regenerate and keep your health in check.
3. Supplementing vitamin D
According to this study, deficiency in vitamin D is directly linked to being susceptible to the flu2. During winter months, vitamin D levels tend to decrease, so it’s very important to supplement them. The best way to keep vitamin D levels optimal, is spending around 15 minutes in the sun. When your skin is exposed to sun, it automatically produces vitamin D. BUT keep in mind the dangers of getting too much sun exposure (skin cancer, etc.). Find a good balance. You can also easily get enough vitamin D by supplementing it. If you do decide to supplement vitamin D, make sure to go for D3 which is is reported to have more beneficial health effects than the synthetic D2.
If you are Miami-Dade based and are interested in getting a flu shot in Hialeah, visit our website or call us to make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
This article was written on behalf of the practice by RedCastle Services. RedCastle specializes in Online Marketing for Doctors, including Medical SEO, SEO for doctors, and Medical Website Design. Contact RedCastle Services today to find out how we can help your practice increase its number of online patient referrals.
