Winter will be here before we know it. As the temperature decreases, the chances of catching the dreaded flu increases. No one wants to be caught with the flu. Being ill for days with flu with symptoms such as severe aches and pains, a fever, cold sweats and discomfort can leave you feeling like the angle of death is inside of you. The good news is the flu can be completely avoided by getting a flu shot. In the United States, this year approximately 200,000 people will be hospitalized with flu complications.
There are multiple venues where flu shot treatment is available. Most people see their doctor or pediatrician to get their flu shots. However, you can also visit your local urgent care center to receive this treatment and dodge the flu this year. If you do not have time to or do not want to deal with the hassle of scheduling a doctors appointment, Urgent Care sees patients immediately, making the process of receiving flu shots much easier. Many urgent care facilities will even host a seasonal walk in clinic offering flu shots.
Urgent care centers are a fairly new addition to the healthcare industry, and pick up slack for the thousands of doctors offices and emergency rooms in the United States that are overwhelmed with the volume of patients. These facilities provide immediate healthcare to patients with non life threatening ailments. In the United States, the typical urgent care visit is 40 to 50% less expensive than visiting the emergency room and most urgent care centers accept health insurance to cover your payment.
Flu shots are an effective way to avoid catching the flu. The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over six months of age receives a flu vaccine as soon as it’s available. For the 2013-2014 flu season, between 135 and 139 million flu vaccines will be available. Call or visit your doctor or local urgent care facility to find out more.