Collin County Living Well Magazine September/October 2016 | Page 30

Why You Need
The Flu Shot!
By Joan Weems, RN
very high fever, making the existing medical condition much
worse. The flu can cause seizures and diarrhea in children.

E

When is the flu season?
very year in the United States, on average:
• 5 to 20% of the population get the flu
• Approximately four million children get the flu
• $1.7 billion is spent on medical costs for children with the flu and an additional $2.1 billion is spent in indirect costs like missing work
to care for sick children
• Thousands of people die

The years between 1976 and 2006, estimates of deaths
from flu are as low as 3,000 to as high as 49,000 per
year.
Young children and adults who are 65 and older, pregnant
women, people with asthma, diabetes, or people who already have a weakened immune system usually get much
sicker and experience more than just the common symptoms. The flu can turn into pneumonia and one can have

Winter is generally considered peak flu season, with most
outbreaks occurring in January and February. But sometimes flu cases can occur as early as October or November
or as late as May.

Flu is very contagious.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning
one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven
days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for
longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days
after the virus enters the body. That means you may be
able to pass on the flu to someone else before you
even know you are sick, as well as while you are
sick. The influenza virus, or flu virus as we normally call
it, is spread from person to person. But people with the flu
can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Flu viruses
are spread mainly by droplets made when people with the
flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the

The Hillcrest of North Dallas is a transitional care facility centrally located on Hillcrest Road just south of the George
Bush Turnpike. We are close to several hospitals including Baylor Regional Medical Center, Medical Center of Plano,
Methodist Richardson and Texas Health Presbyterian Plano. Our short-term rehabilitation services help bridge-thegap between the hospital and home allowing you to regain the skills needed to return to your independent lifestyle.
Our long term care services promote the physical and mental well-being of those we serve while assisting with all
the activities of daily living.
Some of our amenities include:
• Pre & Post-surgical care including IV therapy
• New state-of-the-art Therapy Gym
• 24 hour / 7 day RN staffing
• Private Medicare Suites
• Restaurant Style Dining Room service
• Hospice and Respite Care available
• Scheduled Activities 7 days a week
• Beautiful Courtyard and Gazebo

18648 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75252
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
28

COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016