Waukee Doctor Says to Avoid the Flu, Get the Shot

The flu — you only need to suffer through it once to know you never want it again. But flu season is already upon us. 

Dr. Stephen Rinderknecht, a physician at the , said there are a few ways to ward off nasty influenza germs which run rampant at this time of year. The best one? Get vaccinated.

"It might seem early to some, but now is a good time to start thinking about getting the vaccine," Rinderknecht said. "We want to get as much of the population vaccinated as soon as possible."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu season dates are as unpredictable as Iowa winters. Flu activity most commonly peaks around January, but can begin as early as October and continue well into May.

So how do you know when it's the flu versus a cold? Rinderknecht says the flu is a respiratory illness and has a more sudden onset than a cold. Typically, he said, patients can almost pinpoint the hour when it hits. Symptoms of the flu include: fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue.

Rinderknecht said there are several misconceptions when it comes to the flu vaccine. Can getting the vaccine actually give you the flu?

"It can't happen," he said. "You can have side effects like soreness around the injection spot, but getting the vaccine won't cause influenza."

How safe is the vaccine? Rinderknecht says, "very."

"We can't stress it enough," he said. "This is a very safe product. It's been made the same way for years."

The CDC recommends that anyone age 6 months and older gets the vaccine. Children younger than 5, adults over 65 and pregnant women are especially encouraged to get vaccinated because they are at the highest risk of having flu-related complications.

Rinderknecht said there are two ways doctors and nurses can administer the vaccine. A nasal spray is available to patients ages 2 to 49. The shot, which is the most widely used method, is also available.