Preparing for Flu Season

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – It’s an annual ritual…rolling up your sleeve to get that flu shot.

And for good reason…for the 2024-2025 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were at least 24,000 flu deaths and they say that number could be much higher when all the data is considered.

But along with all the reminders to get your flu shot, there are also myths and misconceptions.

Dr. Andrew Hartley, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Graves-Gilbert says flu season begins in October of every year and runs until the following Spring, so getting a flu shot in September to early October is the best way to protect yourself from the flu.

And you may have heard that flu shots can make you sick. But according to Dr. Hartley, it’s not that you’re actually getting sick but your immune system is preparing to be exposed to the flu and that means feeling some of the flu symptoms for a couple of days. But he says the immune response is milder than having a case of the flu. He recommends treating those symptoms with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which you can find over-the-counter. Just follow the instructions on the bottle.

Graves-Gilbert Clinic will be hosting a drive-thru flu shot event through October 3rd at 201 Park Street in Bowling Green and September 29 through October 17 at 2724 Nashville Road in Bowling Green. You can get more information at GravesGilbert.com/flu