I got my flu shot on Monday as I have every winter for several years (I actually can't remember when I began getting the shot on a yearly basis). My arm is a bit sore but otherwise no ill effects.
You've pretty heard on my show that I follow a number of rules in my life to remain healthy. I am not going for six-pack abs - just trying to avoid sickness during the winter (don't want to miss a show!) and I just want to feel good overall. A flu shot is part of that regimen.
This is the time of year that health experts urge everyone to get their flu shot as soon as possible.
Joan Ivaska with Banner Health says keeping your hands germ free is the next best protection, after vaccination. If soap and water isn't handy, Ivaska says hand sanitizer is the next best option.
What are the places your hands touch that you need to wash up after touching?
Door handles.
Shopping carts.
Public surfaces.
And don’t forget to wash up before eating and after using the restroom.
A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that young children who cleaned their hands with sanitizer instead of soap and water reduced their missed days of school, respiratory infections and antibiotic prescriptions.