I hope everyone stayed safe during Hurricane Michael! Unfortunately the Florida Panhandle was hit hard by the hurricane and are in dire need of help. If you can afford to help, please donate any supplies you can spare to your nearest collection drive, or volunteer for the relief efforts. If you live in Mobile, the SouthWest Mobile Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations on weekdays from 9 am -5 pm. You can donate anything from: water/sealed beverages, baby supplies, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, ready to eat foods (like canned goods or prepackaged snacks/meals), kitchen/household supplies, and blankets/sheets. Anything you can spare to help the people of Florida. Visit www.SWMCChamber.com for more details.
Flu Season is right around the corner! Thankfully due to the harsh flu season we had last year, we are unlikely to see that strain spread like it did, meaning a less severe year. However, you shouldn't rely on herd immunity (herd immunity is the idea that if everyone else is immune, then they can't get sick so you won't either by being around them), be safe and get your flu shots before its too late. Your body is designed to become immune to a virus after you have been exposed to it, "Now Levi," you ask "If we become immune after being exposed, how are people still getting the flu year after year?" Good question, each flu strain has a unique structure to it, after we are infected by it, the body memorizes that particular strain, making you immune. However, there isn't just one flu virus, the flu adapts and changes year after year into new strains that your body might not recognize. This is where flu shots come in. Shots have "deactivated flu viruses" in them, meaning a dead virus; it's just the parts your body uses to recognize the infection. These deactivated viruses are completely incapable of infecting someone, however you may display flu like symptoms and feel sick. This is because the flu isn't what causes the symptoms, that's your cells reacting to pathogens in your body, it's perfectly natural, and shouldn't last nearly as long as a flu infection. After your body has identified the deactivated strain you are immune to that particular flu and have a stronger resistance to modified strains of it. For your health, it's very important to keep your immunizations up to date! Not just for your sake, but even for the sake of people who have weaker immune systems or are allergic to the immunizations. Seniors and small children are at the most risk when it comes to the influenza virus. Hopefully you found this article interesting and informative!
Flu Season is right around the corner! Thankfully due to the harsh flu season we had last year, we are unlikely to see that strain spread like it did, meaning a less severe year. However, you shouldn't rely on herd immunity (herd immunity is the idea that if everyone else is immune, then they can't get sick so you won't either by being around them), be safe and get your flu shots before its too late. Your body is designed to become immune to a virus after you have been exposed to it, "Now Levi," you ask "If we become immune after being exposed, how are people still getting the flu year after year?" Good question, each flu strain has a unique structure to it, after we are infected by it, the body memorizes that particular strain, making you immune. However, there isn't just one flu virus, the flu adapts and changes year after year into new strains that your body might not recognize. This is where flu shots come in. Shots have "deactivated flu viruses" in them, meaning a dead virus; it's just the parts your body uses to recognize the infection. These deactivated viruses are completely incapable of infecting someone, however you may display flu like symptoms and feel sick. This is because the flu isn't what causes the symptoms, that's your cells reacting to pathogens in your body, it's perfectly natural, and shouldn't last nearly as long as a flu infection. After your body has identified the deactivated strain you are immune to that particular flu and have a stronger resistance to modified strains of it. For your health, it's very important to keep your immunizations up to date! Not just for your sake, but even for the sake of people who have weaker immune systems or are allergic to the immunizations. Seniors and small children are at the most risk when it comes to the influenza virus. Hopefully you found this article interesting and informative!
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