Clever headline isn’t it?  Wish I could take credit, however, it’s from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Seasonal Flu website.

Have you had your flu shot this year?  I have.

Vaccination is the best way to combat the spread of influenza “the flu” each year.  The majority of adults have antibody protection within 2 weeks after vaccination and with “the flu” not appearing in certain communities until February or March, it is not too late to get your shot for full protection.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 8-14, 2008

I received my flu shot this past Friday morning.  It was smooth sailing without causing any difficulties with my multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.  Now, the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine I also received on Friday STILL hurts and I’ve got the big, nasty, hard lump to prove it.

The National MS Society references Immunizations and Multiple Sclerosis, published in 2001 by the Multiple Sclerosis Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines, in recommendation that people with MS should be vaccinated against the flu virus each year.

The CDC urges you to take the following steps to protect yourself and others from influenza:

Take time to get a flu vaccine.
    * CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.
    * While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.
    * The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus.
    * Getting a vaccine is very important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, people who are immunosuppressed (even due to medications), and people 65 and older.
    * People who live with or care for those at high risk should also get a flu vaccine to protect their high-risk contact.

Take everyday preventive actions.
    * Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    * Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
    * Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
    * If you get the flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
    * Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.
    * If you do get the flu, antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu ® and Relenza ® are an important treatment option.  However, they are not a substitute for vaccination.