Oscar wants to help you stay healthy this flu season | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Oscar wants to help you stay healthy this flu season
Oscar and Montefiore are hosting flu prevention events from 11/20/19-11/22/19.
Medicare AdvantageMedicare
3 min read
Share article
Yep, It's flu season again! And we’re here to help.
The flu isn’t just a bad cold. It’s a virus that can cause high fever, head and body aches, coughing, and severe fatigue for up to 2 weeks or more. But more concerning is that it can also lead to more serious complications and even death. This is especially true for people over the age of 65. According to the CDC “people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease.”
When it’s flu season, you need to take the flu seriously. In recent years people 65 years and older accounted for 70 - 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths and 50 - 70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations.
In the winter of 2018-2019 more than 57,000 Americans died of the flu. The flu is highly contagious — more than the average respiratory virus.
So, it’s time to get your flu shot. Your best bet for protection against the flu is to get the vaccine. Flu shots help boost your immunity to the virus and you need one every year because the protection wears off (and the virus changes.)
When you get the vaccine, you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re protecting your friends, family and community. The more people who get the flu shot, the fewer infected people there are who can transmit the disease.
Montefiore and Oscar are hosting events from Wednesday, November 20th to Friday, November 22nd.
The first 20 people who get a flu shot at each location receive a $10 gift card. Flu shots will be billed to your insurance. Please bring your insurance card and your Medicare card. We’ll also have a licensed agent to answer questions and find the Medicare plan that’s best for you.
If you can’t make these events. Visit your local pharmacy to find out if they will be providing flu shots this season.
And when you do get the vaccine, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Common side effects of the flu shot include:
A fever of 101°F or less. A slight fever is considered a mild side effect, and it should go away within a day or two.
Soreness, redness, and/or swelling where you got the shot.
Headache, nausea and other aches and pains.
If you get these reactions, don’t worry. They’re not bad. In fact, having them means your immune system is working. Most side effects will go away after 2 days.
It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to become effective, so it’s possible to get the flu during these 2 weeks. If you’re concerned you may have the flu, go to your primary care provider for the rapid flu test.
Take good care of yourself. Remember, it’s important to take care of yourself and take precautions. A flu shot will go a long way. But it’s good to avoid close contact with people who are sick and to wash your hands often. This can help limit your exposure to the virus as well.
