Influenza - Cause for Concern?

No doubt you are seeing all sorts of news about influenza.

• Vaccinations - do they work or not and is there enough this year?
• Avian Flu - is it spreading?
  
• The Pandemic of 1918 and will it happen again?
• Tamiflu
• Dogs, birds and monkeys

Does all this make you fearful? Are you tried of hearing about it? Think it has nothing to do with you?

A big part of aging successfully is staying healthy. One way to do that is to educate yourself and a good way to do that is to read about these issues in a credible location without a lot of hype.

My recommendation is to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and read their flu page. You will find easy to understand information about what the flu looks like (it is not the gastrointestinal bug that some of you think), how you can protect yourself, and what to do if you get the flu. (Big hint: antibiotics are not the answer.)

Main CDC Flu Page
CDC Flu - Key Facts
CDC - Avian Flu

Oh, and about those vaccinations, as far as I am concerned they work. Believe me, having influenza is no fun . I've been "flu-free" since I started getting a shot every year, so if you ask me...get one.

Stay healthy this season!

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen™