(Camden, New Jersey) With influenza (\u201cthe flu\u201d) season just around the corner, people are encouraged to get their influenza vaccine as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Influenza (\u201cthe flu\u201d) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death. National statistics show that on average 5 to 20 percent of the population of the United States gets the flu each year and that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. About 36,000 die from flu and its complications each year in the United States. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur but are more common in children than in adults.<\/p>\n
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Onset of symptoms is usually abrupt, and while most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to approximately one week, some people develop life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.<\/p>\n
The two types of available vaccines are the flu shot and the nasal spray. Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious complications if they get the flu or those who live with or care for persons who are at high risk for serious complications.<\/p>\n
People recommended for vaccination during the 2008 \u2013 2009 flu season:<\/strong><\/p>\n To make an appointment with a Cooper University Hospital physician at an office near you, call 1-800-8-COOPER (800-826-6737) to speak with a member of our physician referral and information service. <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Camden, New Jersey) With influenza (\u201cthe flu\u201d) season just around the corner, people are encouraged to get their influenza vaccine as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Influenza (\u201cthe flu\u201d) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death. National statistics show that on average 5 to 20 percent of the population of the United States gets the flu each year and that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. About 36,000 die from flu and its complications each year in the United States. Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur but are more common in children than in adults.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[234],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-ddevenney","4":"has-excerpt","5":"has-more-link","6":"post-729","8":"format-standard","9":"category-press-releases","10":"post_tag-flu-prevention"},"yoast_head":"\n\n
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