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• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Those who are extremely obese
• Health care workers
• Those at high risk of complications from the flu, including
caregivers and household contacts of anyone at high risk
• Who should avoid flu vaccination?
Flu shots are safe for almost everyone However, if you have had a
serious reaction to a dose of flu vaccine, are allergic to eggs or have
a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, ask your doctor for advice
• What’s the best time for a flu shot?
Flu shots need updating every year because the virus strains change
frequently It’s best to get your flu shot as soon as it’s available,
generally from August through October
• What are the side effects?

Some people may have a minor reaction, such as soreness at the
injection site, mild muscle aches or a slight fever for a couple of
days afterward

MEDICATIONS
32 Avoiding food and drug interactions

When taking a prescription or nonprescription medication:
•
Read the label and all printed information
Nonprescription products print information on the package
Prescription drugs generally come with information fact sheets and
may have warning stickers on their containers Drug information is
also available on drug company websites
• Don’t mix medications into food unless advised
Acid or minerals in certain foods can alter some drug ingredients
Breaking apart pills can destroy special coatings that protect your
stomach or the medication, or that allow for slow, uniform absorption
• Don’t mix medicine into hot beverages
Heat can destroy or alter drug ingredients

50 Head-to-Toe Health Tips 29