The Costco Connection

UPDATE

PharmacyCOSTCO

SUMMER’S END also marks the beginning of flu season.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. People with the flu may have a fever, a cough, a sore throat, muscle and body aches, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose. Although most people with the flu recover within two weeks, others experience a more severe illness that results in complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization or even death.

The flu is spread by coughing, sneez-
ing or talking, or by touching surfaces
that are contaminated with flu virus. It
can spread quickly, because those
infected with the flu can infect others
before symptoms develop. You can pre-
vent the spread of the flu by staying home
when you are sick, washing your hands fre-
quently and keeping your workspaces clean.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; cdc.gov/flu), getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccinations can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The more people get vaccinated, the more everyone will be protected from the flu, including the elderly, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.

Typically available starting in August,

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COSTCO PHARMACY, CLICK ON THE “PHARMACY” LINK AT COSTCO.COM OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL COSTCO PHARMACIST.

ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT

Supplementation with vitamins C and E

port healthy cells by helping to neutralize free radicals. Vitamins C and E, antioxidants and essential nutrients, are commonly found in fruits and vegetables. However, if your diet is low in these antiox-idant-rich foods, supplementation may be an option to help fill nutrient gaps.

High-quality vitamin C and vitamin E
supplements are available in Costco ware-
houses and on Costco.com to help you meet
your antioxidant nutrient needs. If you are
considering add-
ing a vitamin C
and/or vitamin
E supplement to
your wellness rou-
tine for antioxidant
support, talk to your
doctor and look for inde-
pendent verification of product quality
and purity through the United States
Pharmacopeia.
the flu shot is formulated every year to
best match the influenza virus strains
that are most likely to spread and cause
illness. Flu shots contain inactivated
pieces of the influenza virus, which helps
your body recognize and kill the influ-
enza virus if you are exposed to it. Several
types of influenza vaccines are available
this season, which protect against three
or four types of influenza virus.

As you age, your body has a harder time developing an immune response. Because of that, patients who are over ;; may benefit from a high-dose or adjuvant vaccine. These vaccines either contain higher amounts of virus pieces or include a substance (the adjuvant) to boost the body’s immune response. In previous flu seasons, the nasal spray flu vaccine was preferred for most children. Recent data suggests that the nasal vaccine may not be as effective as previously thought. Today, childhood vaccinations with the flu shot are recommended, according to the CDC.

It takes about two weeks for your body to mount an immune response against the flu, so it is important to get your flu shot before influenza is spread in the community. Although you can still get the flu if you’ve had a flu shot, you may have a milder illness if you do get sick.

Search “flu shots” on Costco.com, or visit your Costco pharmacist to find out more about the flu shot. Check with your local Costco Pharmacy for flu shot availability. Flu shots are covered by most insurance plans at no cost to you. Vaccine and age restrictions vary by state.

INFLUENZA VACCINE

Beat the flu

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OXIDATIVE STRESS has been shown to have an impact on overall health. Unhealthy compounds that form in the body, known as free radicals, can be caused by a variety of factors, such as normal metabolic reactions, cigarette smoke, pollution and sun exposure. If free-radical activity is left uncontrolled, the health of the body can suffer, and oxidative stress can occur.