There’s a lot of paranoia out there about the advisability of getting a flu vaccine. That’s a personal decision but regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of government trust, there’s no denying that the flu is out in force this time of year. Since it never hurts to have information about your enemy in the brain bank, keep reading to learn more about the vaccine, plus other measures you can take to (hopefully) avoid this dreaded sickness.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the flu vaccine in 500 words or less, courtesy of Jason Hartman and the AIPIS team:

• The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests are the most common.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season’s vaccines are available.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung diseases, and people 65 years of age and older.
• To keep from spreading flu to others, vaccination is important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

What can you do to help prevent the flu?

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

Keep in mind, the flu is not a whole lot of fun, even if you get to stay home from school or work. (Top image: Flickr | Hallicious)

The AIPIS Team