It's Not Too Late for Your Flu Shot!

After reading  my colleague Jen's post, I'm kicking myself for not getting a flu shot.

I blithely went through the holidays hugging friends, family, and colleagues and spending time at parties with people who were apparently teeming with germs. A few days after Christmas, I woke up with a sore throat.

Within a day or two, I was coughing so hard I couldn't sleep. My nose was clogged, my chest hurt, and my body ached. Yep, you guessed it, I had a full-blown case of the flu.

It's been almost two weeks now and I'm still battling my way back to good health. Unfortunately, my flu morphed into a sinus infection - yes, that happens - so I'm on antibiotics. According to the doctor, it could take at least another week or two to kick that nagging cough.

If you're still healthy, thank your lucky stars and go get your flu vaccination as soon as possible. According to  Humboldt County Public Health Officer Donald Baird, "This year's vaccine is an excellent match, at 80 percent. Typically, the vaccine may only be a 60 percent match."

While it's true that right now California is only experiencing regional outbreaks of the flu, doctors are warning that without vaccinations, we could see a huge spike in illnesses. And because flu season runs from January through April, now is the best time to get the vaccination to avoid getting sick.

Don't wait until it's too late -  learn where you can get flu shot near you and keep that hand sanitizer close.

Image: Flu Shot by Lance McCord, via Flickr