Amy says you should get your flu shot

I talk to a lot of people who still have misconceptions about getting a flu shot.

Getty Images/ Spencer Platt

For the past several weeks the Ebola virus has been the lead news story. So far, one person has died from Ebola in the United States.

Influenza should share the headlines.

Here are a couple of numbers for you.

30,000 The Centers for Disease Control predicts that 30,000 U.S. citizens will die from the flu this year.

Here's another number to chew on.

200,000 That's the number of Americans who be hospitalized by the flu this year.

Does it sound like I'm starting to preach? I hate to preach, but I am. Last year I posted a story about getting a flu shot. When I saw those numbers I thought it best to revisit the topic.

Please, don't make the excuse that you don't have the time to get vaccinated. Right now shots are available at almost every pharmacy and supermarket.

I can tell you first hand that catching the flu bug is horrible. Along with a high fever, influenza wreaks havoc on your gastrointestinal system. You're down for the count for a week to ten days.

Unlike Ebola, the flu is highly contagious. It can be easily spread to family members, friends, co-workers, anyone.

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone over the age of six months. The only exception is for individuals who are allergic to eggs.

It's a huge misconception that a flu inoculation will give you the flu. It will not. For the vast majority there are no serious side effects following a shot. Some people may have a slight ache or soreness in the arm, but that's it.

The CDC says a vaccination is especially important for people at high risk. Here is the list:

Pregnant women

Senior citizens

Young children

People who have...

Asthma

Cancer

COPD

Cystic fibrosis

Diabetes

HIV/AIDS

Kidney or liver disease