Consider getting vaccinated to ward off this year's flu

"She's out with the flu."

"The flu is going around."

Often, it's not the flu at all that we're talking about, but "stomach flu," which causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Those symptoms may be caused by influenza, most usually in children, but rarely are.

What we call "stomach flu" can be caused by many different types of viruses, bacteria or even parasites.

Instead, the flu is a respiratory disease, and not a stomach or intestinal disease. The flu is a contagious disease, caused by the influenza virus, which attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). It usually comes on suddenly and may include symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.

Is it worth getting a vaccination to prevent?

Yes, unless you have a reliable crystal ball which will let you knw which flu seasons will be severe and which ones will be mild.

Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It's not worth the risk.

"Flu showed up a little early this season," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Nebraska's Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for DHHS. "Make sure getting vaccinated is at the top of your to-do list. Flu vaccine not only protects you, but your family, friends and coworkers too."

The CDC recommends flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. It takes about two weeks after the vaccination to develop immunity.

While flu can make anyone sick, it's especially important for young children, older people and people with chronic lung disease (like asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions and certain other long-term health conditions.

It's not true that you can get flu from the shot, Schaefer said, but you may have reactions like soreness and redness at the injection site. If you don't like needles, Flu-Mist is a nasal spray available for health people, 2-49 years of age.

Even if you aren't worried about getting the flu yourself, perhaps, by getting vaccinated, you can keep from exposing someone else with a compromised immune system from contracting a dangerous infection.

Check with your health care provider or local health department about getting immunized in time for this year's flu season.