Each year the flu puts more than 200,000 Americans in the
hospital and causes anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths. With
the exception of the H1N1 flu (also called swine flu) in 2009,
most of these deaths occur in people over 65. But even for
healthy younger people, the flu—characterized by high fever,
body aches, headaches and coughing—can be rough. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everybody
over six months of age get vaccinated. It’s especially important
for people 65 and older, anyone who has a chronic condition
(such as lung or heart disease, diabetes, cancer or HIV
infection), pregnant women, people on immunosuppressive drugs
and healthcare workers. Mid-October through November is a good
time to get it. Flu epidemics usually begin in January or
February, and it takes a few weeks to develop immunity from the
vaccination. Besides the familiar injection, a nasal spray flu
vaccine is also approved for people under 50. Still, the vaccine
doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get