SHREVEPORT, LA - The flu has started to pop up around Louisiana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends maximizing your protection by safely getting your flu shot this year. It's time to start thinking about that now.

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Dr. Evelyn Pryor  Chief of Internal Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport says we have seen cases of the flu in the Shreveport Bossier area. She says according to the State Health Department Flu Tracker, we have had 20 pediatric flu cases and one of those children required hospitalization. She urges anyone 6 months and older to get the flu shot. It's especially critical for young children and the elderly to get the vaccine.

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Region 7 which is all of northwest Louisiana shows the highest incidents of flu and other respiratory illnesses when compared to other parts of the state.

Dr. Pryor says this flu shot has been designed to protect you against at least 4 strains of the flu. She says the goal is to keep the prevalence of the virus to a minimum in the community. She says this vaccine will prevent about 60% of those who got the shot from getting the flu.

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The flu virus that doctors are seeing so far this year includes body aches, a sore throat, chills and congestion and even a little bit of a cough.

The peak month for the flu is usually February, but Dr. Pryor says that can change. It could be anytime from December through March. She says we see the flu during fall and winter across the state.

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 Where Can You Get the Shot?

It is available at many locations. This includes drugs stores, several grocery stores, Urgent Care facilities, your doctors office or the local health clinic in your parish. The flu shot is typically covered by your insurance.

I get the shot every year and I have not had the flu in more than 20 years. In fact, I really don't remember the last time I had the flu.

And if you are a little nervous about needles like I am, don't worry. The needle they use for the flu shot is tiny and it was virtually painless.

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