10TV: Now is the time to get your flu shot

It’s that time of year again, flu season. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season is recording normal, but there is some concern for negative change. OhioHealth Urgent Care staff says they are starting to see a rise in flu symptoms and diagnoses. These symptoms can include fever, body aches, congestion and sore throat.

Glenn Williams, MD, medical director of OhioHealth Urgent Care, told 10TV reporter, Tracy Townsend, that now is the time to get the flu shot. Getting the vaccine against the viral infection is the best way to protect your family.

“Typically flu is going to be spread by respiratory droplets, so coughing, sneezing, even talking can produce some respiratory droplets,” Dr. Williams told Townsend. “That’s why it’s so important if you do have the flu to stay away from others, quarantine yourself and stay home from work so you’re not spreading it among other people.”

Dr. Williams adds that it takes about two weeks for the medicine in the vaccine to get into your system. He also addresses the most common flu vaccine myth.

“We have really good evidence that the flu shot cannot give you the flu,” he told Townsend. ”The shot is little particles that break up to make your body respond to it and develop antibodies. There’s no flu virus in the flu vaccine.”

Although the month of February is the peak of the flu, the holiday season comes in a close second. Pregnant women, young children, people who have chronic conditions and people 65 or older are most vulnerable to the illness. Talk to your doctor or visit an OhioHealth Urgent Care location to get a flu shot today.

To find an OhioHealth primary care physician, click here.