July 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Protect Yourself Against The Flu, A Deadly Virus:

While the Ebola virus is capturing national and international headlines on a daily basis, another more common virus will kill thousands of people in the United States this year. That virus is influenza, more commonly called “the flu.”

The influenza virus causes a contagious respiratory illness that can infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Signs or symptoms of flu often include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The flu is spread when people with the virus cough, sneeze or talk, sending droplets into the air, then the mouths or noses of people nearby. The flu can be passed onto others as early as one day before the symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Some people with weakened immune systems may be carriers of the virus for an even longer period of time. That’s why it’s so important for people to stay home when they are ill.

At Greater Risk

Our immune system becomes weaker with age. As a result, older people are at greater risk for severe illness from influenza. Older people are also more at risk for developing complications from the flu, which often are the driving force for hospitalizations. These complications include:

• Bacterial pneumonia

• Ear infections

• Dehydration

• Sinus infections and

• Worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and asthma/COPD.

According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for last flu season, more than 88 percent of those age 65 or older with the flu needed hospitalization.

Flu Prevention

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each season, and the single biggest reason people forgo getting a flu shot is the belief it might give them the flu. That is a myth. You cannot get the flu from a flu shot because the vaccine contains no live virus.

There are several vaccine options for the current flu season. Traditional flu vaccines, known as “trivalent vaccines,” protect against three different flu viruses. This season, there is also a flu vaccine called “quadrivalent” that protects against four different flu strains. In addition, there is a more potent vaccine produced for people 65 years or older that is often referred to as the Fluzone or high-dose vaccine. It contains four times the amount of antigen contained in regular flu shots.

Why get a high-dose flu shot? The answer lies with your age. Because aging also decreases the body’s ability to generate a good immune response from the influenza vaccine, studies have shown that those 65 or older develop stronger immunity after vaccination with the high-dose version.

Although the CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another for people 65 years or older, it does recommend flu vaccination as the first and foremost step in protecting against the flu.

So get vaccinated before flu season hits home. While you are at it, make sure you are current with other key vaccines to protect against pneumonia, shingles and tetanus. Prevention begins with you!

Dr. Grace Chen is a board-certified geriatrician with the highly regarded UCLA Geriatrics Program in Santa Monica and Westwood. For more information, call 310.319.4371 or visit uclahealth.org.

in News
<>Related Posts

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...