Don’t let the flu get to you.

Are you protected from the flu? The Surest plan

You might feel a little tired, a little rundown. And then you might get body aches, a sore throat, headache, or runny nose. It doesn’t take long to figure out you have the flu. Ahhh, you don’t have time to be sick! Can it be avoided? How?

Quick refresher: Flu overview

Influenza (flu) is an infection in the lungs and breathing passages, caused by the influenza virus. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus from year to year. Unlike the common cold, the flu comes on suddenly and the symptoms can be more severe. These symptoms include a cough, congestion, fever, chills, fatigue, aches, and pains and may last for a few weeks. People can be contagious before flu symptoms appear and for 5-7 days afterwards. Influenza spreads from person to person through droplets from someone who has the flu and is sneezing or coughing. It can also be spread by touching surfaces or objects with droplets, then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth.

Treatment

Home treatment is usually all you need for flu symptoms, although your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine to prevent other health problems—like pneumonia—from developing. The risk of other health problems from the flu is highest for young children (under 2), older adults (over 65), pregnant women, and people with long-term health conditions.

Flu: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You have severe trouble breathing
You have a seizure

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have trouble breathing
You have a fever with a stiff neck or a severe headache
You have pain or pressure in your chest or belly
You have a fever or cough that returns after getting better
You feel very sleepy, dizzy, or confused
You are not urinating
You have severe muscle pain
You have severe weakness, or you are unsteady
You have medical conditions that are getting worse

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

You don’t get better as expected
You’re having a problem with your medicine

Flu in children: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

Your child has severe trouble breathing. Signs may include the chest sinking in, using belly muscles to breathe, or nostrils flaring while your child is struggling to breathe.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

Your child has a fever with a stiff neck or a severe headache
Your child is confused, does not know where they are, or is extremely sleepy or hard to wake up
Your child has trouble breathing, breathes very fast, or coughs all the time
Your child has a high fever (102 or higher)
Your child has signs of needing more fluids, including sunken eyes with few tears, dry mouth with little or no spit, and little or no urine for six hours

Watch closely for changes in your child’s health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

Your child has new symptoms, such as a rash, an earache, or a sore throat
Your child can’t keep down medicine or liquids
Your child is having a problem with a medicine
Your child doesn’t get better as expected

Reduce your risk

You can reduce your risk of getting the flu by doing the following:

Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze (use the inside of your elbow if you don’t have tissues around)
Avoiding close contact with those who have the flu
Washing your hands with soap and water
Not touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Getting the flu shot

How effective is the flu shot?

Getting the flu shot every year prevents flu infection and its complications in most people. It can help protect you and those around you.

And if you do get the flu while vaccinated, you’re likely to miss fewer days from work. It can also reduce the number of people who get complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. And the flu vaccine can help protect the babies of women who got the vaccine while they were pregnant.

Health organizations globally, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), advocate for the flu vaccine as a crucial tool in preventing the flu, reducing the severity of the illness if contracted, and preventing widespread outbreaks. They emphasize that the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the potential risks.

Check the Surest app to find flu shot locations. The flu shot is offered at a $0 copay when given as part of an in-network preventive care visit.

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