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Health & Fitness

Protect you and your family during this influenza season

Public health officials remind residents to get their flu shots. 

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) reminds suburban Cook County residents that everyone six months of age and older should receive an influenza, or flu vaccine. Getting a flu shot in October ensures complete coverage during the flu season which typically runs between October and May every year.

 “It’s early in the flu season but now is the best time to get you and your family flu shots to be protected the entire season,” CCDPH COO Dr. Terry Mason said.

 Flu is a virus that affects the respiratory system and is spread primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of the flu virus can range from mild to life-threatening and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. While the flu can be particularly dangerous to the elderly or people with chronic illness who can’t fight the debilitating effects of the virus, anyone can get the flu. 

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Protect yourself and those around you and get vaccinated, today.

 Vaccine is available at your local pharmacy, family doctor and grocery stores throughout suburban Cook County.  The 2013-2014 flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, and influenza B virus.

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 In addition to getting vaccinated, residents should practice the three C’s to limit the spread of the influenza virus.

  • Clean – properly wash your hands frequently
  • Cover – cover your cough and sneeze
  • Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick

 To get a seasonal flu vaccine, residents in suburban Cook County should contact their family doctor, visit their local pharmacist or attend a public vaccination clinic.

 For more information on influenza, please visit www.cookcountypublichealth.org.

 Watch for CCDPH seasonal influenza updates on Facebook/ccdph and  Twitter/@cookcohealth

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