Every year, thousands of people in the United States are hospitalized with the symptoms of seasonal influenza – a highly contagious respiratory virus that kills up to 40,000 Americans every year. Health officials are urging everyone older than 6 months of age to get vaccinated against the flu.
The influenza virus is a serious infection of the nose, throat and lungs that spreads in the late fall, winter and early spring – it’s different from a “cold” or “bronchitis,” with high fevers, major body aches and malaise, sore throats, and severe coughing. The infection is easily transmitted to others, even those who are healthy, but those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems are particularly at risk – including diabetes, asthma and emphysema, pregnancy, and both the very young and the very old.
Americans have been getting flu vaccines since the 1950s, and slightly less than half of the American population was vaccinated for influenza in 2014. This year, more than 171 million doses of flu vaccine have been produced, and about 40 million have been distributed. The latest vaccine has been upgraded to combat the strain that caused millions of illnesses in 2014.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone older than 6 months of age get vaccinated to protect not only themselves, but also those around them who may be vulnerable, or who depend on them. If you haven’t yet had a bad case of “The Flu,” it’s easy to believe that you don’t need the shot, and that you can’t catch the flu, which is kind of like saying that you haven’t died yet, so you must be immortal. Children, pregnant women and seniors above 65 years of age are more vulnerable to the influenza virus, but anyone can catch – and spread – the infection.
Because the flu virus is continually mutating, a new flu vaccine is needed each year, as the previous vaccination no longer gives much protection. Your doctors, nurses, and administrative staff working in medical facilities get vaccinated every single year in order to stay protected, and to protect you.
The fall season is coming to an end.
Winter is coming.
Now is the best time to get immunized against the flu. Get the vaccination for you and your family to enhance your protection. See your doctor, walk in to one of our Urgent Care Centers or Reserve your spot today!
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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