Preventing the Flu

Baptist Health Paducah: Preventing the Flu

David Saxon, MD, and nurse practitioner Jasmaine Vincent describe the symptoms caused by cold and flu viruses and advise patients about getting a flu shot.

Preventing the Flu Health Talks Transcript

David Saxon, MD, Urgent Care
Both colds and flus are caused by a virus. Cold viruses — there are several of them, but the symptoms are all similar and typically start with scratchy throat, congestion in the head and sinuses, cough. The flu, on the other hand, is caused by a set of influenza viruses. The symptoms seem to be a lot more severe, and the rates of complications from the flu are a lot higher. The flu vaccine will cover you anywhere from four to six months. It does take effect within as early as two weeks of getting the shot, so even in November and December, it’s an excellent time if you haven’t gotten your flu shot to go ahead and get vaccinated.

Jasmaine Vincent, APRN, Urgent Care
You don’t need to go to the emergency room to get a flu shot. We welcome all vaccinations. You can come to us and get a flu shot at the urgent care clinic.

Dr. Saxon
There are several reasons to get a flu vaccine. The flu is contagious pretty much the whole time you have it. It’s spread by coughing on people, eating or drinking after them. Maybe you’re out a lot and could bring the flu virus home to people that are a lot more susceptible to having complications from it and could even end up in the hospital, and you getting a vaccine may help keep you from carrying it home to them and getting them sick and in the hospital.