Have you had your annual flu shot?  Influenza symptoms include a runny nose, congestion, fever, muscle aches, cough, and wheezing. The flu could progress pneumonia in the elderly.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone six months and older should receive the annual influenza vaccine. This includes those older than sixty-five, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system, such as AIDS.  The vaccine is available as a nasal spray.  It provides protection for two weeks after receiving the vaccine.

The annual flu vaccine prevents flu sickness.  Symptoms include muscle aches, weakness, and fever.  The vaccine cannot cause the flu. It is especially important for those with long term health conditions, such as AIDS.  The current flu vaccine is injectable.  The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended this season. 

Flu vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization, especially in children and older adults. Those older than fifty years reduce their risk of hospitalization by fifty-seven percent. You cannot get the flu by getting the flu vaccination.

Here is a list of medical conditions that increase risk for getting the flu:  asthma, sickle cell disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, kidney and liver disorders, those younger than nineteen years and on long-term aspirin. system, those with AIDS, cancer, adults sixty-five and older, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives. The vaccine changes annually. 
Source:  www.cdc.gov/flu.

You can call 1-800-CDC-INFO.  1-800-232-4636