Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Winter 2018

8 Focus Your Health Flu season is here: Did you get your flu shot yet? The holidays are here. That can only mean one thing: it's flu season. Flu can be harmful for kids and families. Between 6,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 are sent to the hospital every year because of the flu. The flu shot is safe and helps protect kids and adults from flu. The flu is not the same as a cold, and comes on quickly. Even healthy kids and adults can get really sick from the flu. They can then spread it to family and friends. Signs of flu can include: ● ● Fever ● ● Cough ● ● Sore throat ● ● Runny or stuffy nose ● ● Body aches ● ● Headache ● ● Chills ● ● Feeling tired ● ● Vomiting and diarrhea A flu shot is important for people of all ages. It is really important for kids 6 months and older, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic health problems like asthma, or diabe- tes. They have a higher chance of getting more serious issues from flu, like pneumonia, which can lead to hospital stays. Tips for flu season: ● ● Try to avoid close contact with sick people. ● ● If you are sick, try to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. ● ● Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. ● ● Wash your hands often. It’s best to get your flu shot by the end of October every year to be ready for flu season. Call your doctor’s office to set up an appointment to get your flu shot today. Not sure who your doctor is? Call HPSJ at 1.888.936.7526 ( PLAN ); TTY/TDD: 711 . Visit hpsj.com for more information on flu resources and HPSJ’s HealthReach nurse and doctor advice line. Source: cdc.gov/flu HealthReach 1401