When it comes to staying healthy this winter, one of the most important things you can do is get your flu shot. Not only will getting your flu shot help reduce your chances of getting sick, but it will also help the entire community be healthier as it reduces the spread of the disease.

Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville shares why the flu shot is such a great prevention method:

What Makes the Flu Shot Work

Every year, researchers invest a good bit of time into determining what flu strains will be the biggest threat for the upcoming flu season. They identify two types of Flu Strain A and two types of Flu Strain B to put into the vaccinations, creating a safe way for your body to become exposed and begin building up its immunity.

Does the Flu Shot Contain Live Viruses?

No, the flu shot doesn’t contain live virus. It contains an inactivated version of the virus, so you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. Having these antibodies in your system by the time you are exposed to the flu virus is what gives your immune system the ability to fight it off instead of becoming infected during flu season.

The Benefits of Getting Your Flu Shot

Getting your flu shot is about more than a yearly healthy habit. By getting vaccinated against the flu, you are helping yourself as well as your community be healthier and less likely to face serious complications. Some flu shot benefits are:

• It makes you less likely to get the flu.
• It helps prevent the spread of the flu, especially to vulnerable populations at risk for flu complications.
• It protects babies and other groups that are too young or otherwise unable to get vaccinated.
• Just getting the shot reduces the severity of flu symptoms for those who do still get sick.

Practicing Flu Prevention

Just because you receive your flu shot does not mean that you should not heed warnings about flu prevention tactics. Because even those without symptoms can transmit the flu virus, practicing frequent hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding contact with your eyes and nose are key to creating an overall healthier flu season for everyone.

Ready to get your flu shot? We were hoping you would feel that way! Come see us today at AFC Urgent Care Sevierville for yours.