Navigation Slider ButtonMENU
Mobile Search Button
NAVIGATION
  • SERVICES
    • Patients
      • Insurance/Accepted Plans
      • Patient Resources
      • Privacy Policy
      • Privacy Policy
      • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
    • Visitors
      • Gift Shop and Cafeteria
      • Service Animal Policy
    • Community
      • Press
      • Events and Classes
      • Sponsorship Requests
      • Newsletter
    • About Us
      • Employment
      SERVICES
      • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
      • Behavioral Health Services
      • Breast Health
      • Cardiac Care
      • Diagnostic Imaging
      • Edwardsville Services
      • Emergency Department
      • Endocrinology
      • ENT Procedures
      • Family Medicine
      • Gallbladder Surgery
      • Gastroenterology
      • Limb Preservation Program
      • New Vision Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment
      • Occupational Health Services
      • Orthopedic Outpatient Services
      • Orthopedic Services
      • Podiatry Services
      • SIMPLE + PRICE
      • Pulmonary Services
      • Pulmonology Outpatient Procedures
      • Rehabilitation Services
      • Sleep Center
      • Surgical Options
      • Surgical Services
      • Urgent Care
      • Urology
      • Wound Care
      • Call Us
      • Patient Portal
        • Medical Professionals
        • Pay a Bill
        • Pricing Information
        • Call Us
        • Patient Portal
          • Medical Professionals
          • Pay a Bill
          • Pricing Information
          Gateway Regional Medical Center
          • SERVICES
            • Patients
              • Insurance/Accepted Plans
              • Patient Resources
              • Privacy Policy
              • Privacy Policy
              • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
            • Visitors
              • Gift Shop and Cafeteria
              • Service Animal Policy
            • Community
              • Press
              • Events and Classes
              • Sponsorship Requests
              • Newsletter
            • About Us
              • Employment
              {0}
              Community, Press

              Press Releases

              Press Topics

              It’s Never Too Early for a Flu Shot


              Fall is approaching, which means it’s time to get your flu shot. Influenza, also known as “the flu,” is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus, which affects the nose, throat and lungs. Every year in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, the 2017-2018 flu season exceeded previous years’ hospitalization rates with over 30,000 confirmed cases from October 2017 through April 2018. 

              Individuals who are at high risk for developing flu-related complications should exercise particular caution during flu season. Children under age five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are especially susceptible to complications related to flu. 

              Watch out for warning signs like:

              • Fever
              • Cough
              • Sore throat
              • Runny or stuffy nose
              • Body aches
              • Headache
              • Chills
              • Fatigue
              • Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

              The best way to prevent getting and spreading the flu is to get vaccinated. It’s best to get vaccinated as early in the season as possible as it takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop after getting the shot. The composition of flu vaccines is reviewed annually and updated to protect against the season’s most commonly circulating viruses. For the 2018-2019 season, injectable vaccines are once again being recommended over nasal mist vaccines. 

              Other steps you can take to prevent catching the virus include:

              • Washing your hands regularly in warm, soapy water and avoiding contact with your face, mouth and eyes. Arm yourself with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you are not near a hand-washing station.
              • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, stay home to protect them from getting sick too. 
              • Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent people around you from getting sick.
              • Practicing other good health habits, such as disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and fresh air, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

              Because the flu virus changes every season, it is important to stay current with your vaccinations each year. Practicing good cleanliness habits and healthy routines can also help keep you and your loved ones healthy throughout the season.

              Flu vaccines will be available from Gateway Regional Medical Center beginning October 1, 2018.  You can visit our Urgent Care locations in Glen Carbon or Columbia or make an appointment at one of our Gateway Medical Group providers at GatewayAnytime.com. 

              For information about scheduling a vaccine, please call 618-798-3587.


              Find A Doctor

              A to Z LIST
              Gender
              A to Z LIST

              Community Topics

              Daisy Award  
              Our Healthy Circle  
              Support Groups  
              Events Calendar  
              Press  
              Volunteering  
              Events and Classes  
              Sponsorship Requests  
              Newsletter  
              ER WAIT TIME
              10Min
              Current average ER Wait Time
              GET DIRECTIONS

              2100 Madison Ave
              Granite City, IL 62040

              VIEW MAP

              VIEW MAP  

              About Us
              Financial Policies
              Campus and Amenities
              Contact Us
              Hospital Fact Sheet
              Phone Directory
              Community
              Daisy Award
              Our Healthy Circle
              Support Groups
              Events Calendar
              Press
              Volunteering
              Events and Classes
              Sponsorship Requests
              Newsletter
              Patients
              Admissions
              Billing and Insurance
              Patient Resources
              Spiritual Services
              Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
              Returning Home
              Patient Rights and Responsibilities
              Media and Vendors
              Marketing and PR contact
              2100 Madison Ave , Granite City , IL 62040
              Terms of Use    Privacy Policy    View Full Site for Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
              Copyright 2022 . All rights reserved.
              2100 Madison Ave , Granite City, IL 62040
              Terms of Use     Privacy Policy
              Notice of Privacy Practices
              Release of Information
              Notice of Non-Discrimination: Español • 繁體中文 • Tiếng Việt • 한국어 • Tagalog • العربية • Diné Bizaad • Polski ...View Full Site for Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
              Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

              Loading... Loading...