Why You Need a Flu Shot Now By: Dr. Thomas Pangburn, MD, vice president of provider and clinical quality, MedExpress Urgent Care

Flu season peaks in January or February and can last until May.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, do it now because it takes about two weeks for your body’s immune system to fully protect against the virus.

Flu may seem like a bad cold, but look for extra symptoms like high fever, headaches, body aches and feeling completely wiped out. Influenza can cause more serious health complications than colds, like pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infections or dehydration.

Seniors, pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system and young children are at highest risk for contracting flu, but healthy people of all ages can get sick and spread flu to others (even before you show symptoms).

Besides vaccinations, the best ways to beat flu are to get plenty of sleep, eat right, disinfect shared surfaces and wash your hands often.