Flu refers to illnesses caused by a number of different influenza viruses. Flu can cause a range of symptoms and effects, from mild to lethal. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems, but certain people are at high risk for serious complications.
In the U.S., epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) work with states to collect, compile and analyze reports of flu outbreaks. Flu symptoms may include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.
Annual outbreaks of the seasonal flu usually occur during the late fall through early spring. Most people have natural immunity, and a seasonal flu vaccine is available. In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu. Flu-related deaths range from 3,300 to 48,600 (average 23,600).
A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population; the virus causes serious illness and spreads easily from person-to-person worldwide.
For the 2009-2010 flu season, the H1N1 flu virus caused more illness in young people and pregnant women than is usual for prior flu seasons. Like seasonal flu, illness in people with H1N1 can vary from mild to severe.I've never bothered with flu shots in the past. I tend to avoid those sorts of things. Most years, I've been able to escape getting sick. However, due to my current "condition", now I get to run to the front of the line to get flu shots. And the earlier, the better. Time for you to get yours, too!
Carolina In My Mind
"In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind"
--James Taylor
This week's Mystery Guest will be revealed Thursday afternoon. Be sure to check back to find out who it is!
Millie is this week's MG! You can find her at "Return to the Internet", which is ironic, since she's been gone for awhile. She just wanted to let us know she's still around! And if you want to see how she's changed, check out her last appearance as the MG!
Some new participants over at "...the Other HNT" this week! Stop by and check out your fellow HNTers, and leave a comment or two, please! Of course, it's NSFW.
Realized while I was drafting this that I haven't posted since last week's HNT. Geez! No real reason. The weather is exquisite right now, football is in full swing, symphony rehearsals start again this weekend, the soul band has a gig the day after the symphony concert, lots of rehearsals coming up (thank God the music has already been written!), miners were/are being pulled out of the ground, Christmas supplies are already in the stores, I learned a trick to download YouTube videos, I got an exquisite voice message from a foreigner, and life is generally pretty good. I'll try to write more this weekend though...
In the meantime, go check out the OsShirt site, my new site of just my HNTs (current up to December, 2007) or go ask me a question in my Formspring box in my sidebar!
54 comments:
Nice to read that life's good!
I was going to write "Nice shot" about the picture, but not sure it felt that nice :P
I'm up!
Yes everyone! Get yer flu shots. :-)
Yet another fabulous Mystery Guest! So beautiful and alluring!
I'm up!
I'm glad you're taking precautions this winter. I want to be MG's crepe paper. HOT!
I'm up!
xox~Sadie
Yay flu shots!
Beautiful MG!
And I'm up!
Happy HNT!
~Emmy
Must admit, I'm still undecided on the whole Flu Shot thing.. But understand the importance to people "at risk"
I'm still round and waiting... Was full of energy this morning, but just woke from a nap.
I'm up :)
psa ftw!
gorgeous MG, outdoorsy and scenic
i'm up with a little white
Yes I guess it is time for flu shots once again, such an ordeal when you have kids. Happy HNT, I'm up...
P.S> I forgot to say, lovely guest! Cool creative shot, too, love it.
I've never once gotten a flu shot.....I have mixed feelings about them.
LOVE the MG...damn.
I'm up!!! More from the same fun series! :)
xo
Cool shot of the flu shot. I hope you stay healthy all winter long.
Beautiful mystery guest!
I'm up!
Given I currently have the flu, I probably should have had the shot earlier in the year. Oh well.
Nice MG once again, very cute.
I'm up
My favorite girl is up...
Barefoot Dreamer
I get my flu shot. Yep!
I'm up. New address.
Twosexytigers.com
Tigress
Autumn is celebrating a birthday today!
http://www.autumnmistspeaks.blogspot.com/
I'm up. Two weeks in a row!!
Think I'll skip the flu shot. Hate, hate, hate needles, and have never needed one in the past.
HHNT
I'm up - Sexy What?.?.?
As someone who uses public transport, I'm all for flu jabs even though needles make me lightheaded.
I'd love to say I like your photo. How about I say the MG is gorgeously sexy instead?
I’m up.
xx
Only year I ever had a flu jab, I got ill. So I'll skip it this year.
I'm up.
I'm up and busted!
Happy HNT!
I never get the flu shot. I did once and I was more sick that year then any other.
But I am glad youre on it ;)
I am up.. and off to bed
HHNT xoxo
hmms thought that i posted
I am up here http://shibari-confessions.com
since my old bloggy thing is down and this is my first HNT in forEVER.
MG is just beautiful...
flu shot looks ..painful
HHNT OS!
I'm up!
eek..needles! my fav. time of the week..HNT!
The vulnerable should definitely get their shots! The rest of us need to watch our diet carefully to ensure we get the right nutrients to bolster our immune systems.
Im up with a great picture but a not so good story :(
HHNT x
I'm up
I never get the flu shot as it makes me more sick than the actual flu
I'm up.
I am joining in too
http://pinkyandthegeek.co.za/half-nekkid-thursday/
I'm up.
www.redheadedrealm.blogspot.com
We're up again after a little break!
Gotta get your flu jab.
I'm up!
Ouch. No needles for me.
I'm up (x2).
HHNT!!
I had asthma, I should be getting it, and then, never went, don't want to get it while receiving the shot...
But that is a gusty shoot!
I'm up!
MG pic didn't load for me. Sounds like I'm missing something loverly. :(
I'm up now. Been a crazy week. With the poking and prodding that's been going on with me of late, the flu shot is the last thing I want. But I'll get it. Eventually. Waiting for work to schedule them before I lay out $ for it.
Yay! PSA!
I'm up.
I'm getting my flu shot tomorrow, good for you!
Better late than never, I'm up!
http://hubmanshangout.com/2010/10/14/hnt-shaving-edition/
I've never had a flu shot, either. They don't seem to be very common here Down Under, or at least amongst my husband's circle of family and friends.
I'm up!
The VA gives me a flu shot every year. Something about me being old.
I'm up with a rather naughty HNT this week.
I'm up with a post you're sure to enjoy. ;-)
Hoping to get round to visit everyone tomorrow... today I just need to fall back into bed.
BUT, I'm up
XX
Our first Half-Naked Thursday entry is posted!
Thanks for the great fun!
http://theravished.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/half-naked-thursday
OOOPS!!! I mean Half-Nekkid!!!
:-)
i dont do the flu shot but had to give one to the kid because she gets really sick in the winter :( ick
i am up
I'm up!
http://www.insatiabledesire.com/2010/10/14/hnt-moar-boobs/
Great PSA... I've already gotten by flu shot too. :)
I'm up. Happy HNT!
I'm scheduled for my flu shot next week. Nice PSA Os.
Happy HNT, and I'm up!
Never get a flu shot....always think I will.
I'm up!
xoxo
WOW!
RIBBONS!
(makes up for the picture of the ouch)
I had a stomach bug week and a half ago, didn't get done with it till this past weekend.
Turned me into a dehydrated constipated whiney ass.
So, I must be feeling better, now.
Just put up the biggest wood I've gotten in years.
(and, for someone in their sixtieth year...that's a wonder!)
d=^))
We're up thanks entirely to Gabby, who took the photo, cleaned it up, and wrote the post for us!
-M and K
I don't do shots. But then I don't have what you have! Its important for you to get them!!
Stay well and enjoy the beautiful weather!
I'm gonna say, better late than never here. Its been one of those weeks. I'm up finally with "The Pink"!! ;)
xoxo
I'm up late...rough week...
I did get my flu shot this year though! :)
It's been a long day but I'm finally getting my HNT up. Maybe someone is still around to check it out?
http://scintillectual.com/?p=633
No flu shots for me. but I am not in your situation either. glad you are staying healthy
thanks Vixen for upping me
I'm up late, but at least I'm up! Happy Belated HNT!
http://pandadementia.com/?p=673
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