It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot!

Influenza (FLU) is a very contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. In Illinois, the peak flu season is often in February- March. Flu is caused by viruses and is spread by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Anyone can get the flu. It usually strikes suddenly and last several days. Symptoms may include: fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose. Flu can also lead to more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia.

Flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu, make the flu less severe if you do get it, and keep you from spreading flu to your family and other people. There is no live flu virus in the flu shots. They cannot cause the flu. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four viruses that are likely to cause disease in the upcoming season. It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after vaccination and protection lasts through the flu season.

Please call the Washington County Health Department at 618-327-3644 for availability of flu shots.

GET YOUR FLU SHOT. Protect yourself and those close to you!