Sometimes, people believe things they hear about the flu shot and opt out because of it. The flu shot cannot cause the flu. The virus in a vaccine is dead. But, it does take two weeks for the flu shot to become effective. If you’re exposed to the virus prior to that, you could develop the flu.
If a different strain occurs than what was predicted, there is the chance of developing the flu. Either way, the duration and symptoms may not be as bad if you’ve had the flu shot.
Your parents need the flu shot as the immune system is less effective after the age of 65. You should get it with them. These are three of the important reasons to get the flu shot as soon as possible.
The Flu Can Be Deadly
You and your parents should get the flu shot. The protections it offers outweigh the slim risk of it not being effective in time. People with the flu have an increased risk of developing pneumonia or inflammation in certain organs. It can also cause respiratory failure. In the U.S., it’s estimated that as many as 61,200 deaths were linked to the flu.
The Flu Impacts Other Diseases
When you have the flu, it can make it harder for your body to handle other diseases. For example, if your parents have diabetes, the flu can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels. Diabetic coma from extremely high blood sugar levels and diabetic ketoacidosis (lack of insulin in the blood) are common risks.
The Flu Can Knock Family Caregivers Down for a Week or Longer
Take your parents to their doctor, a local flu shot clinic, or a pharmacy and get a flu shot before the virus becomes most active. Insurance usually covers the entire cost, so unless there’s an allergy, there’s no reason to skip the vaccination.
You don’t want to get the flu. The fever, headache, body aches, and cough are bad enough. The risk of pneumonia isn’t worth it, especially if you’re a family caregiver. If you do get the flu, you’d be unable to help your parents for a week or longer If they get it, they’d need constant supervision and assistance with tasks.
Do you have the time to provide all the care your parents would need? It’s unlikely you could miss the time off work or pay. You’d need to enlist the help of an elderly care aide. Call an elderly care agency today.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elderly Care in Largo, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
