Marketing/PR
Contact: Rosie Quinones
RQuinones@mydoublehelices.com
Summer is almost over, the
Back to School rush is in full effect and patients with flu-like symptoms are already
appearing in physician and urgent care facilities. Many are unaware of the
exact meaning of the Flu and what the symptoms are. Influenza (the flu) is a
contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild
to severe illness, and at times can lead to complications. Influenza seasons
are unpredictable, and can begin as early as October. However HELIX Medical Centers are already seeing
patients with flu-like symptoms, which leads us to believe that this upcoming
flu season is expected to start much sooner than the past years!
Getting a flu vaccine is the
first and most important step in protecting yourself and your family.The CDC
recommends that individuals older than 6 months get vaccinated against
influenza as soon as 2012-2013 flu season vaccine becomes available in their
community and at minimum once a year. HELIX Medical Centers will be prepared
for this early season. Over the course of a flu season, CDC studies samples of
flu viruses circulating throughout the season to evaluate how close a match
there is between viruses used to make the vaccine and the circulating viruses.
The 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, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus
infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. It’s
especially important for some people to get vaccinated immediately, as it takes
2 weeks for the vaccine to take full effect. Those individuals who are over 65
years of age, young children, pregnant women, and have certain health
conditions such as asthma, chronic congestive heart failure, or immune
deficient conditions such as leukemia, and HIV should be the ones most aware of
the severity of this disease.
If you do not have a primary
doctor or nurse, or if they are unavailable, don't despair, you can get a flu
vaccine in any of our three conveniently located HELIX Medical Centers. A flu vaccine is needed every year because
flu viruses are constantly changing. It’s not unusual for new flu viruses to
appear each year forcing health deparments to keep up with the flu viruses as
they change. Also, multiple studies
conducted over different seasons and across vaccine types and influenza virus
subtypes have shown that the body’s immunity to influenza viruses (acquired
either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time.
If you or someone you know is
experiencing high fever, body aches, headaches, among other symptoms please
visit your nearest medical facility. HELIX Medical Centers are available and prepared;
we have locations in Deefield Beach, Lake Worth and Tequesta. Each location is
equipped with a rapid flu test that only takes a few minutes to determine if
management for influenza is needed.
Written by: HELIX Medical
Centers: Adrian Bellido, PA- C
