There is a chance you can get the flu anytime during the year, but peak season is between October and February.
If you've ever experienced the flu, you know how miserable the symptoms are. You may experience a headache, body chills, aches and cramps, fever, sore throat and runny nose.
The flu can be extremely dangerous and even deadly to the 65 and older population.
One reason that flu can be severe for seniors is the immune system weakens with age, which makes it harder to fight disease.
The flu can also make existing health problems worse for people with chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, which often affect older adults. People with these conditions are more likely to develop complications from the flu that can result in hospitalization and even death.
The flu hits older adults the hardest, yet the Flu + You survey found that many seniors underestimate the seriousness of the flu and are largely unaware of their vaccine options.
Two-time Emmy and Tony award-winning actress, Judith Light, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) are teaming up for the second year on the national educational initiative Flu + You to educate older adults and those who care for them about the seriousness of influenza, the importance of prevention and available vaccine options.
Listen in as Light joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss this campaign for the 65 and older population.
The Flu + You: Campaign for People Over 65
Only 13 percent of seniors are extremely confident in their knowledge of possible flu complications.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 1
- Audio File: health_radio/1540ml1a.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Judith Light, Actress
- Guest Website: National Council on Aging
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Guest Bio:
Two-time Tony® Award winner Judith Light will be returning to Broadway this fall as Madame Raquin in Therese Raquin, starring with Kiera Knightly at Roundabout Theatre.
She can also currently be seen as Shelly Pfefferman in Amazon Prime's Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award winning series, Transparent (created by Jill Soloway), which is shooting its second season this summer.
In 2014, Judith was named the National Ambassador for the 19th KIDS NIGHT OUT ON BROADWAY by the Broadway League. She was also honored with the Women Who Care Award at the 13th Annual UPC of NYC Women Who Care Luncheon.
Judith is also helping spread the word about the new Flu + You campaign for people over 65 and their caregivers (sponsored by the National Council on Aging). - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: No
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
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Health Radio
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