MAYWOOD, Ill. - With flu season just around the corner, there is
no time to dilly dally before getting vaccinated against an
illness that usually strikes hardest in late fall and winter.
"The time is now to get a flu shot because it takes about two
weeks to develop the antibody response," said Dr. Michael
Koller, associate professor, Loyola University Stritch Chicago
School of Medicine. The flu season in Illinois usually begins in
November, reaching its peak in February, Dr. Koller said. The
flu (or influenza) is a highly contagious viral infection that
attacks the respiratory system. “It’s primarily spread by
respiratory droplets,” Dr. Koller said. “When somebody with
influenza coughs or sneezes, out shoots this spray of flu virus.
So in addition to covering your mouth when you cough, it’s
really important to wash your hands.” Each year in the U.S.
between 5 to 20 percent of the population contracts the flu.
Symptoms include an abrupt-onset fever, chills, headaches,
exhaustion, aching muscles and a constant,