Flu (Influenza)

The flu is caused by influenza viruses. It's a respiratory disease, which means it affects the lungs and other parts of your respiratory system.

Flu symptoms can be similar to COVID-19 or even a cold. Here's a quick guide to help you understand the difference.

Common flu symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Headaches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Though most people recover from the flu in a week or two, it can cause severe complications in some cases. This includes pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room if you think your flu symptoms may be life-threatening.

If you have any flu symptoms, avoid contact with others and stay home except for medical care or necessities. You can often recover from the flu at home, but if you think you need medical care, go to urgent care, start a video visit or schedule a visit with your doctor. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room right away if any of your symptoms are life-threatening.

The flu is contagious for as long as you have symptoms and possibly for up to 7 days after you get sick. Children and immunocompromised individuals may be contagious for longer periods.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get your flu shot. To schedule your flu shot, call your doctor or make an appointment online.

In addition to getting vaccinated and taking care of yourself, you can take simple steps to help prevent the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following these steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for 15 to 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, desks, keyboards and phones.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Visit cdc.gov/flu for more information and resources.

You should get your flu shot as soon as it's available and we recommend to be vaccinated by the end of October. Please know flu shots are available at any time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu shot can reduce your risk of getting the flu by between 40% and 60%. It's also been shown to reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick, as well as the risk of complications and hospitalization.

Even if you have had the flu, you should still get your flu shot because you could get the flu again.

Though having the flu is miserable, most people recover fully without medical care. However, complications like pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death can occur in some cases. People at increased risk for flu complications include young children, people 65 and older, pregnant people and people with certain medical conditions. If you're in one of those high-risk groups or have any symptoms that concern you, seek medical care right away.

For most mild cases, you can treat the flu with lots of rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms. If medically necessary, your provider may also prescribe an antiviral medication, but these work best if taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

The flu spreads mainly from person-to-person contact, like when a person with the flu coughs, talks or sneezes. You can also become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it, then touching your face, which is why it's so important to wash your hands and disinfect surfaces regularly.