Help your Body Protect Itself from the Flu

This post is made possible by the American Lung Association, in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own!

As our loved ones get older their immune system starts to fade. The immune system in the human body is what helps fight off the flu and other illnesses. Getting your flu shot every year helps your body to defend against circulating flu viruses. Each year the flu vaccine helps provide your body with the necessary antibodies to help ward off the current strains of flu.

When you’re 50 years of age and older the flu can hit you even harder. Whether it’s you or your loved ones that have reached the age of 50 or older, getting an annual flu vaccine during the fall and early winter will help your immune system build up a tolerance to fight this year’s flu. Be sure to take into consideration that the flu vaccine takes approximately two weeks to develop the antibodies in your body that help provide protection against the flu.

When you opt to get the flu shot it helps everyone around you stay healthier. Even if you’re not suffering from a weakened immune system, other people around you may have health conditions that don’t allow their bodies to help fight the flu as it once could in their younger years. Everyone who has an illness that causes their immune system to be weakened are at a higher risk of health complications if they contract the flu.

Flu Symptoms in Older Adults

Those 50 years of age and older may have a weakened immune system or other chronic health conditions that deter their body from being able to fight off sickness and therefore, are at a higher risk of contracting the flu. Flu symptoms vary from adult to adult, but these are the most common signs & symptoms of flu:

• A headache
• Fatigue
• Aches
• A fever
• A cough

The flu can bring on troubles with breathing and chest pains that are hard to handle. It’s always best to visit a healthcare provider if you or someone you love is experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Contracting the flu can be a very scary experience for our older loved ones. This is why it’s highly recommended that you find out where vaccines are available in your area at the American Lung Association’s website, GetMyShot.org.  Flu vaccination can help protect you and your loved ones during the peak of flu season.