Flu Shot Specialist

Northeast Medical, PC

Family Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Amherst, NY & Cheektowaga, NY

On average, 8% of all Americans get the flu each year. Depending on the season, that number can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%. One way of protecting yourself and your family from catching it is by getting an annual flu shot. Tajinderpal Singh, MD, is a family care physician at Northeast Medical, PC who provides flu vaccinations to families in Amherst and Cheektowaga, New York. If you want to find out more or schedule your shot, call the practice or request an appointment online.

Flu Shot Q & A

What is the flu?

Flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, throat, and lungs.

Not everyone who has the flu experiences symptoms. Half of all people who catch the virus are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms themselves but can still infect others. Those who do get sick find it comes on suddenly.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and include:

Chills
Fevers
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Aching body and muscles
Cough
Fatigue
Headaches

Some people also experience stomach issues like vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases, flu can cause death.

If you catch the flu, stay inside, keep away from others, drink plenty of fluids, and rest. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, Northeast Medical, PC offers telemedicine appointments so you can get checked.

What types of flu does a flu shot protect against?

There are three types of flu: A, B, and C. Types A and B are the most harmful, while Type C is the mildest of the three.

Type A

Type A affects animals and people. It evolves continuously and new strains develop all the time, which is what causes epidemics.

Type B

Type B occurs only in humans. It’s a less severe form of flu and doesn’t tend to spread as far and wide as Type A. But it can still make anyone who gets it feel extremely unwell and even hospitalize those with underlying health issues.

Type C

Type C is a mild version of the flu. Many people who get it tend to think they’ve caught a head cold or are feeling a little run-down.

Find out more about flu season by calling Northeast Medical, PC.

Why do I have to get a flu shot every year?

The flu shot is annual because the formula changes each year.

Flu centers around the world continually record data on the viruses affecting each country. The World Health Organization (WHO) analyzes this information, records each additional strain of flu, and determines which are most likely to cause widespread illness without intervention.

The WHO then creates a vaccine to immunize against the most dangerous flu strains that coming season.

The flu can prove deadly to people who have compromised health, but it needn’t be. Book the whole family into Northeast Medical, PC for their flu shots. Call the practice today or schedule through the website.

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