Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 22, 2019:   Winter in the UAE is a wonderful time to spend more time outside with family and friends in the cooler climate. Making memories can be made harder with the onset seasonal flu outbreaks and other contagious air borne virus.  The good news is that there is no need to spoil your weekends and holidays with ill health. A preventative flu vaccine from Aster Clinic will ensure your family stays fit, well and happy.

Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’ is prevalent across cooler months and outbreaks tend to start as early as October and last until May.  The viral infection, that affects your respiratory system, comes with symptoms which include: fever over 100.4 F (38C), aching muscles, headache, sore throat, fatigue and weakness. The virus is extremely contagious and is air borne, which means it spreads through droplets released in the air when one coughs or sneezes.

A flu vaccination will reduce your risk of catching the virus by up to 60 percent. You may have had one in previous years, but as strains of the virus are updated every season, it’s important to vaccinate yourself every 12 months. 

Those particularly vulnerable to seasonal strains and ailments are children below 6 years old, adults who are living with a condition such as Asthma, Diabetes or Cardiovascular problems and those above 65 years. Everyone is prone to getting the flu, however people falling in these categories can be affected more severely with the virus leading to serious health complications. While a single dose of the flu vaccine should be administered to adults, 2 doses are recommended for children being vaccinated for the first time. Children between the age of 6 months – 8 years should be administered the dose early in the flu season and the second does at least 4 weeks later.

As vaccines can take up to two weeks to become effective, advice for those already suffering would be to stay home and rest; stay hydrated with water and eat a balanced diet for vitamin intake. 

As well as Flu vaccinations, Aster Clinics offer full health checks. With more than three decades of experience in comprehensive health care, Aster Clinic brings affordable quality healthcare to the residents of the UAE and offers expert care across General Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynaecology, Dermatology, Internal Medicine and more with a team of specialists and high-end technology to support families in the community. 

Flu vaccines are available in more than 60 Aster Clinics across the UAE. You can visit any Aster Clinic to find out more about flu vaccine and their selection of preventative healthcare options to protect yourself and your family.