It is important for almost everyone, especially diabetics, to get a flu vaccine By Dr. Maitri Patel November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. It is important to remind people with diabetes of how crucial a flu shot is for them and their families. Diabetes can make the immune system more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu and pneumonia. Each year, many deaths among people with diabetes are associated with influenza and pneumonia. In a typical year,up to 10 percent (1 in 10) people get the flu and more than 200,000 people are sick enough to require hospitalization. We make sure our children get all their vaccinations.As we get older,we forget to continue taking those vaccinations. Some patients say,"Doctor, I got flu from the shot."This is a myth.The influenza vaccine injection is an inactive vaccine and doesn't give you the flu.Some people coincidentally catch a cold following immunization. This is not a result of their flu vaccine — the flu is not a cold. What is flu? Most cases of the flu can be distinguished from colds because the symptoms (cough, muscle aches and pains, sore throat, fatigue and headache) are more severe than those of the common cold.Flu symptoms also tend to occur suddenly and include high fevers (temperatures of 101 degrees or more). In children, fevers are typically even higher than those in children. Complications of the flu can develop in anyone and include pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, asthma attack, bronchitis, inflammation of heart or other muscles, and inflammation of the nervous system. Some people say,"I didn't get flu all these years so I don't think I need the shot." You can never predict the future.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends influenza vaccines to those who are at higher risk of getting pneumonias — diabetics, pregnant women, children, anyone over age 50, health care providers, child caregivers, HIV patients, everyone with long-term diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, anemia, blood disorders, kidney disease, etc. October and November are the ideal months to get the flu vaccine. If you miss the period,you can still get one during any of the winter months. To learn more,call the CDC at 800-232- 4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/flu. Dr. Maitri Patel's practice, PrudentMD, is located at 5 Dundee Ave., Iselin.For more information, call 732-404-0044 or visit www.prudentmd.com.