3 Tips To Prepare Yourself For The Flu Shot
Posted on: 16 October 2017
Share
With the fall season here, you may be decorating your home and planning for upcoming holiday gatherings. However, the fall is also an essential time to prepare for flu season. According to the CDC, this year's flu vaccination is an estimated 48 percent effective, so scheduling your shot is key to reducing you and your family's risk of the influenza virus. If you are like many people, you may be frightened over the idea of a shot, but proper preparation is helpful. Here are a few tips to prepare your body and mind for the flu shot:
Prepare Your Appointment
First and foremost, you must make arrangements to get your flu vaccine. If you have a primary care physician who you see regularly, contact them to ask when you can receive your flu shot. In some instances, you may need to make an appointment. On the other hand, your doctor's office may allow you to walk in for the shot since it only takes a few minutes.
If you do not have a primary care doctor, visit a local walk-in clinic for your flu vaccine.
Prepare Your Mind
Once you know when you will receive your flu shot, you can begin preparing your mind. If you have a fear of needles or injections, be sure to remain calm because stiff muscles will make the injection more uncomfortable.
Remembering why you are getting the vaccine is also helpful. The flu causes a great deal of discomfort, which can prevent you from working and completing simple everyday tasks. You will experience muscle aches, body discomfort, fever, coughing, sneezing, nausea, and even vomiting if you have the flu. Without the vaccination, you could spread the virus to your spouse and children, causing the entire family to feel discomfort.
Prepare Your Body
Last but not least, prepare your body for your upcoming flu shot.
Drink plenty of water before the injection. Hydrated muscles will recover more efficiently after the shot. Also, take an over-the-counter acetaminophen before your shot to ease any pain and soreness after the needle is inserted.
After the shot is injected into your arm, you may have some swelling and soreness. This discomfort could prevent you from using your arm for the rest of the day. Therefore, consider asking the doctor or nurse to administer the shot into your non-dominant arm.
Again, remain calm. Relax your mind so your body will relax, as well. Injecting the needle into an arm that is tense and stiff will increase the discomfort of the needle. Contact an office like Affinity Medical Clinic for more information and assistance.