Presbyterian | Fall 2019 | Your Story

Did you know? Some people are at risk for health complications if they get the flu: ● ● Children younger than five years old ● ● Pregnant women ● ● Adults age 65 and older ● ● People with certain chronic medical conditions Your story For Native American Centennial Care members Fall 2019 Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. P.O. Box 27489 Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Important plan information Standard U.S. Postage PAID Presbyterian Health Plan INSIDE Tips to avoid the flu 2 Pathway for wellness 3 NACC Centennial Care for Native Americans: 1-888-977-2333 Influenza, or the flu, is an illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu symptoms include fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, and runny or stuffy nose. Flu season usually starts in October and can last through May of each year. The flu virus infects the nose, throat, and lungs. The virus can be spread to others up to six feet away when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks. People can spread the flu virus to others before they have any of the symptoms. Flu vaccines Flu vaccines can help you avoid the flu. They can also make the symptoms less severe if you do get the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. You should talk to your healthcare provider before getting a flu vaccination if you have a severe allergy to the influenza vaccine or any of its ingredients, had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccine in the past, have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, or have been feeling ill. Some minor side effects from getting the flu shot include soreness or redness of the skin where the shot was given, a low-grade fever, and body aches. What is the flu? —Continued on page 2