CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot yet?

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday. With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started last Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aim to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one. Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst …

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A Mom Said So

Fighting Off Cold and Flu Season

How can we avoid it for as long as possible?

Lilliana has been hacking during the night for a few nights now, she has dark circles under her eyes, and her energy level is down, though she has gotten enough sleep.  I actually think now it may be a reaction to the changing seasons and maybe allergens, thank goodness, but all I could think for a day or two there was, "Oh great!  Here comes the practically unending cold and flu season until next spring." Once it starts, it seems like she barely gets over one before she starts to come down with another one.  It's terrible!  And, after she gets it, inevitably she gives it to one of us as well. We taught her to cover her mouth when she coughs by coughing into her elbow, which is the recommended way to slow the spread of germs.  That way she…

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