Conover and Hudson Urgent Cares Offer Convenience

Although September marked the beginning of one of the most dreaded times of year -- flu season, you may be able to avoid getting bit by the flu bug by getting an annual flu shot.
Unifour Urgent Care in Conover and Unifour-Hart Urgent Care in Hudson are currently offering flu shots for $25 each, seven days a week - no appointment necessary.

Unifour Urgent Care, located at 1105 Fairgrove Church Road, SE, is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sundays and holidays 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. Unifour-Hart Urgent Care is located at 270 Pine Mountain Road, Suite 5, and is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sundays and holidays from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Since influenza viruses continually change over time, people are susceptible to the virus infection throughout their lives. Each year the vaccine is updated to include the most current influenza virus strains.

Some bypass the flu shot, believing that the vaccine will actually give them the flu. This is not true. The fact is that the vaccine causes no side effects in most people.

A small number of people may get mild side effects, including a low-grade fever for about day or a headache. The most serious side effect is an allergic reaction in people who have a severe allergy to eggs, since the viruses used in the vaccine are grown in hen's eggs. For that reason, people who have an allergy to eggs should not get a flu shot.

The bottom line is that, for many people, a flu shot is the best defense against this often-debilitating illness. It's especially important for any person who's at increased risk for complications from the illness, including

• Persons aged 50 or older;
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions;
• Adults and children aged 8 months and older who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma;
• Adults and children aged 8 months and older who require regular medical care or had to be hospitalized because of chronic metabolic diseases (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease or weakened immune system;
• Children and teenagers (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy; and
• Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.

The vaccine is also highly recommended for people who are in close or frequent contact with anyone in these high-risk groups, including health care personnel and volunteers who work with high-risk patients and people who live in a household with a high-risk person.

Keep in mind that because the viruses change often, not everyone will be completely covered by the vaccine. But, people who get the flu after getting the vaccine may have a milder case than those who do not get vaccinated.

You want to be spending your time with friends and family -- not the doctor. The flu is a serious illness. Don't let it keep you down this season. For more information, call Unifour Urgent Care at 267-0551 or Unifour-Hart Urgent Care at 728-2080.