Summit Healthcare’s primary care providers want to make sure residents of the White Mountain Community are ready for the 2018–2019 flu season.
“GETTING IMMUNIZED CAN help protect you from the flu, but it does more than that,” says William Thomack, Director of Occupational Health at Summit Healthcare. “This vaccine safeguards your coworkers, family, and friends by helping to prevent the spread of the virus.”
The flu spreads when a person comes in contact with respiratory droplets contaminated by influenza. These germs can be spread by a cough or sneeze and can survive for up to 24 hours on surfaces, including doorknobs, tables, or sinks. You can get sick by breathing in germs or touching your face after touching a contaminated surface.
Who Needs a Flu Shot?
Everyone age 6 months or older should be vaccinated against the flu every year. Getting a flu shot can help prevent the virus or reduce its severity if you should catch it.
For infants younger than 6 months, who cannot be vaccinated, being surrounded by those who are vaccinated means a much lower likelihood of catching the flu. The flu can progress to pneumonia—a potentially life-threatening condition—if not treated early.
Our goal is to return seniors to an optimal level of functioning in a timely manner with a plan of continued care after discharge.
Other ways to protect yourself and others against the flu include avoiding people who have the virus and washing your hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
Contact us to Find a doctor who can give you your 2018 flu shot.
