Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we've been talking about protecting yourself and your family from the flu. The best prevention is being vaccinated, but washing your hands, keeping your hands away from your face and avoiding close contact with sick people can also help reduce your risks. The very young, the very old and those with chronic medical conditions should be sure to get a vaccination shot to prevent potentially serious complications.
Because it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to be fully effective, now is the appropriate time to get a flu shot so you'll have full protection when flu season begins in December. Dr. Craig Rubin, a geriatrician at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says the shot isn't necessarily guaranteed to prevent the flu, but it does lower your chances significantly, and it usually makes symptoms less severe if you do get sick.
###
October 2006
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
