Flu/Allergy Shots

Flu shots

Shot Health providers are available to administer flu shots throughout the year, according to your schedule, wherever you are.

What is Flu?

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral respiratory infection affecting the upper respiratory tract, and in some cases, the lower respiratory tract. Most people having the flu experience mild to moderate symptoms. However, the centers for disease control and prevention reports that certain groups of people are at a higher risk of developing serious outcomes of flu. The following factors increase an individual’s risk of developing serious complications from flu:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Children younger than 2 years old
• Asthma
• Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
• Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
• Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
• Kidney diseases
• Liver disorders
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
• People who are obese with a body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher
• People younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications.
• People with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or some cancers such as leukemia) or medications (such as those receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, or persons with chronic conditions requiring chronic corticosteroids or
other drugs that suppress the immune system)
• People who have had a stroke

Preventing flu

The best way to prevent flu according to the CDC is to ensure you have your annual flu shots. The flu shot/vaccine, is recommended for people aged six months or older. The flu shot has numerous benefits as follows:

Benefits of the flu shot

• It will keep you from getting sick with flu
• It will reduce the risk of being hospitalized with flu
• It is a vital preventive tool for those having chronic health
conditions putting them at a higher risk of developing
complications
• The shot can be lifesaving in children
• The flu shot can be lifesaving in children
• It will protect your loved ones and the people around you from
catching flu from you.

How to Schedule Your Flu Shot at Shot Health

Step 1: Use the Shot Health website to schedule a home visit appointment
Step 2: You will be asked whether you would like to schedule a flu shot for yourself or any other family members
Step 3: You will be assigned a Shot Health provider who will guide you through the additional steps of scheduling the flu shot and that of any other family members.
After scheduling your flu shot, your Shot Health provider will administer the vaccine in the comfort of your home at your convenience.

What Are Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots are treatments given to help minimize allergic reactions. The shots are personalized to each patient and given once specific allergy triggers are identified. They are received on schedule, usually over many years.

What is their Purpose?

Allergic symptoms include asthma attacks, itchy eyes, runny nose, or sneezing. An allergy is a symptom m of your body’s reaction to an eaten, touched, or inhaled substance (allergen). In non-allergic people, the allergens are harmless and cause no symptoms. However, allergic people are sensitized to specific allergens and the symptoms are due to the body’s immune reaction to the allergen.
Allergy shots cause the body to stop reacting to the allergens and generating symptoms. It involves injecting a small amount of the identified allergen under the skin with each shot. The shot then stimulates the immune system just a little with every injection. Gradually, the amount of allergen in the shot is increased. The constant, low-level exposure stimulates a different kind of immune reaction to the allergen which is less bothersome than the allergic response.
When they work well, allergy shots are an effective long-term solution, making allergy symptoms occur less often and less severe. The full benefit for most people is realized after many years of going through a full course. The symptoms might start subsiding after about six months to one year

Who can Take Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots are recommended for individuals who:
– have severe allergy symptoms
– do not respond to normal medications.
– develop significant side effects from the medications.
– find allergies disrupting their lives
– have allergies that might become life-threatening such as those who develop severe allergic reactions or develop asthma attacks
Allergy shots can be used in reducing the severity of the allergy symptoms

Which Allergies are not covered?

Not all allergies are treatable with allergy shots. Food allergies are not treated as the risk of severe allergic reaction is too high. However, oral immunotherapy, a treatment similar to allergy shots, has been successfully used to treat children with food allergies. The best strategy to prevent food allergies is to avoid the food to which you are allergic.

Preparation for Allergy Shots from Shot Health?

Before we give you your allergy shots, you will undertake tests to establish the specific allergens causing your reactions. The tests are a useful guide to know the specific shot you should receive. The tests include blood tests called a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) or a skin or patch test.

How it is Done

When getting the allergy shot, a small amount of allergen will be injected into the fleshy part of your upper arm. The first injections are given once a week. Thereafter, the doses are gradually increased with every shot. The maximum dose is reached after four to six months.
After the injection, we will monitor you for 20 minutes to recognize any reaction to the injection and treat it immediately. A strict schedule will be established to ensure maximum benefit.

Are there any risks?

Most people do not develop any reactions to the allergy shots. Mild reactions like itching, redness, or swelling at the injection site might occur and are treated with antihistamines. Rarely, severe reactions occur and are treated at the office.

Call us and schedule your allergy shots.