Flu season is just around the corner. Should you get a flu shot this year? For many people, that answer is "yes" but for starters, let's test your knowledge about influenza vaccines by answering the following true or false questions based on information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

True or False?

Question 1: You can die from influenza.

Question 2: You can get a mild case of influenza, even if you get the flu vaccine.

Question 3: Side effects of the flu vaccine are worse than the flu.

Question 4: Only seniors need the flu vaccine.

Question 5: You must get the flu vaccine before December.

Ready for the answers? Here they are:

Answer 1: True - Influenza is a highly infectious disease that can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 114,000 people in the United States are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of influenza.

Answer 2: True - People who receive flu vaccine can get influenza but will be far less sick than someone who has not received the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine does not protect you from other viruses that sometimes feel like the flu. Influenza is a respiratory illness, not gastrointestinal. Symptoms of influenza may include: fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle aches or fatigue. Many "stomach bugs" are mistaken for the flu. A flu shot does not protect against this type of illness.

Answer 3: False - The worst likely side effect from an injectable vaccine is a sore arm.

Answer 4: False - Adults and children with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease need to get the flu shot. It is also recommended that active and healthy people (above the age of 6 months) also get the flu shot in order to benefit from the protection that the vaccine offers since anyone can get influenza.

Answer 5: False - The flu vaccine can be given before or during the flu season. The best time to get the flu vaccine is generally October or November, however getting vaccinated in December or later can still protect you against influenza, especially in this area of the country where we tend to get the flu a bit later.

Flu Shot Clinics
Ready to find a public flu shot clinic in your neighborhood? Here are a few options:

Monday, October 27
• Four Seasons Senior Center 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Warroad Community Center 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28
• Badger Community Center 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Greenbush Community Center 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Monday, November 3
• Badger Creek Senior Housing 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Elderbush Senior Housing 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• North Star Senior Housing 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 4
• Young Manor 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• Sunburst Senior Housing 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, November 13
• Warroad Middle School Cafeteria 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Roseau School Library 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Cost is $25. Seniors bring your Medicare Advantage Card or your Medicare Card. For more information about the benefits of flu shots, visit the U.S. government websites www.fda.gov or www.cdc.gov or contact LifeCare Medical Center at (218) 463-2500. To contact Dawn Hedlund, RD, LD, at LifeCare Medical Center, call (218) 463-4773.