Health New England | Health Matters | Wellness Guide 2019

Health Matters ∞ 21 What Else Can You Do? Even if you’ve had your flu shot, you should take these steps to avoid the flu virus: Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Stay away from sick people. It’s also important to minimize the spread of germs to others. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away. Talk to Your Doc The CDC recommends the following vaccines for healthy adults over 50 years of age: Shingles vaccine. This protects against shingles and the complications from the disease. Your risk of shingles increases as you grow older. Pneumonia vaccine. It protects against pneumo- coccal disease, including infections in the lungs and bloodstream. A pneumonia vaccine is recom- mended for all adults over 65 years old, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain chronic health conditions. Tdap vaccine. Get this one if you did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough). Td vaccine. Adults need this booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria. Flu (influenza) vaccine. Most adults should get a flu shot once every year. Source: cdc.gov SYMPTOMS COLD FLU Aches/pains Cough Chest discomfort Exhaustion Fatigue Vomiting/diarrhea Stuffy/runny Sore throat Sneezing Headache Fever Colds and the flu share some symptoms, but they are two unique conditions. COLD or FLU? Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Learn more about how immunizations can help you stay healthy at cdc.gov/vaccines .