Flu Activity in the US Remains Low; 5 Reasons Why Americans Need To Get Vaccinated

The U.S. CDC is reminding the public to get their flu shots soon if they haven't yet, as flu activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks. While flu activity remains low in the United States due to mild temperatures, there is still a possibility to contract a flu, Healthday reported.

In fact, CNN revealed that this flu season has affected several hundred patients per week in December compared to a few thousand per week in December 2014.

The CDC recommended everyone aged six months and older to get an annual flu shot to protect from the influenza virus. There are available flu shots for different age groups, and one must consult with the doctor, as high-dose flu shots are also available for those 65-years old and above.

Pregnant women are at high risk for flu, as well as women with newborns. Seniors and those with chronic health problems such as heart and lung diseases are also at higher risk. Those with allergies to vaccines, however, should not get a flu shot and must consult their doctor for safer alternatives.

Here are five reasons why you should get a flu vaccination today.

1. You can still spread the virus even if you're not infected. The Huffington Post reported that, while 20% to 30% of people who carry the influenza virus do not experience flu-like symptoms, it is still contagious. "Influenza is a potentially dangerous virus that can send a totally healthy young man to the emergency room within 48 hours," Dr. William Schaffner, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University, explained. "I've seen my fair share of 26-year-olds with no underlying illness who suddenly can't breathe, have a high fever, and must be put in the intensive care unit."

2. You can get complications once infected with the flu virus. Healthday reported that complications from flu, such as pneumonia, happen to over 200,000 Americans who are rushed to the hospital. Death rates, however, are varied but peaked at 49,000. According to Brammer, it's best to get a flu shot ahead of its peak, which in previous years happened to be in February.

3. It can save you money from hospitalization due to influenza. Health reported that, according to a recent study, getting a flu shot can also protect you from contracting pneumonia, the leading cause of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. "We estimate that approximately 57% of hospitalizations due to influenza pneumonia could be prevented by influenza vaccination," lead researcher Dr. Carlos Grijalva of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, said.

4. You might spread the virus to a baby. Babies below six months old cannot be vaccinated with the flu shot, so they are more at risk for contracting the flu. If you're not vaccinated and do contract the virus, being around them puts them at an even higher risk.

5. Flu vaccines are easily accessible. There is basically no excuse for not getting a flu shot, as it is cheap and accessible to most people. "Virtually all public and private health insurance plans cover the flu vaccine. Especially now, since the Affordable Care Act has made it so many more people get insurance," Dr. Shaffer said. "And as they move to private insurance, those plans now have to cover preventative health measures including the flu vaccine."