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Should I get the Flu Vaccine?
Do you know the facts of the flu? Better yet do you have the F.A.C.T.S. of the flue? F - Fever, A - Aches, C - Chills, T - Tiredness, S - Sudden Symptoms.

This acronym will help you know if your symptoms may be the cause of the flu virus. If you have more than three of the above F.A.C.T.S., chances are you have the flu.

Every person is different, therefore your symptoms can range from mild to severe, and even your most mild of symptoms can quickly change into severe symptoms. Know your body, recognize changes in your attitude and your body temperature. Flu symptoms can come on suddenly -- so make sure you are well aware of the prevention on treatment options so you can get a jump start on feeling better.

Some common flu symptoms include:

Fever (usually 101 or higher)
Extreme Tiredness
Headache
Dry Cough
Muscle Aches
Runny Nose (More common in Children)
Stomach Symptoms (Nausea / Vomiting)
Chills

You do not need to have all of these symptoms to have the flu. But if you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, it is highly recommended that you contact your doctor right away.

If you wish to get ahead, you should consider getting a flu vaccination each fall. The flu vaccination, although helpful is not 100% effective, because each year the strain of the flu changes, and the one you catch may not be the one the vaccination fights against. But getting the flu vaccination is still one of the more proactive things you can do to help yourself.

There are two types of the flu vaccination. The most common is the “flu shot” -- in which you are given a vaccination comprised of an inactivated or killed flu virus.

Much newer is the nasal flu spray vaccination. This vaccination is injected up into the nasal passage and contains an attenuated (or weakened) vaccine.

It is also important to remember that the strain of flu changes yearly, so you must get a method of vaccination every year. To keep up with the mutating virus, scientist make different flu vaccines every year. Ten months before flu season begins, scientists make a vaccination prepared with a killed influenza virus that is most prevalent during that time.

If in those ten months, the strain of influenza virus changes, the vaccination you received may not be effective by the time flu season rolls around.

It is also recommended that children under the age of eight or are getting the flu shot for the first time, should get two vaccinations. This is because their immune system has not build enough immunity against the virus, and two doses are necessary to ensure their safety.

Like with any other sort of vaccination, there are possible side effects in getting the flu vaccination. Commonly, the most typical reaction is that around the site of the injection. For children the side effects from the vaccination may be a little more severe, but the side effects are a lot less severe than their symptoms would be if there were to contract the virus.

Also, the most important thing about the influenza virus, is to plan ahead. You know flu season rolls around the same time every year, so there is no reason to not prepare your self.

The vaccination has been tested and is safe for humans to get. Might as well protect you your family from contracting the infamous flu.