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What is the flu?

Flu is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. It infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu can cause mild or severe illness — and in some cases, it can be fatal. Flu season lasts eight months, from October to May each year. Since the influenza virus mutates, the flu strain that infects people changes from year to year. An annual flu shot formulated to address the most current flu strain is the best way to protect yourself.

What are flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms can vary by the flu strain and the individual. We often think of fever as the most common flu symptom, but not everyone with flu may have an actual fever. Still a long list of unpleasant flu symptoms can make sufferers feel miserable, including:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

“Often, people think they’ll suffer through a few days of feeling bad, but it’s important to remember the flu can be dangerous,” warns Dr. Matthews Ninan. In some cases, serious complications like pneumonia can develop. If you become severely dehydrated and your core body temperature hits 102 degrees or higher, you need to see your WellMed primary care doctor. Left untreated, severe flu symptoms can cause inflammation and organ failure. Also, if you have a chronic health condition that weakens your immune system such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma or COPD, the flu can be life-threatening, so see your doctor.”

When is flu season?

Flu season is an eight-month period that spans from October through May each year. While most people think of flu season as being confined to winter months, people do get it during the fall and spring. For that reason, it’s best to get the flu vaccine at the beginning of flu season. “It’s important to get the flu vaccine at the beginning of flu season because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach full effectiveness,” explains Dr. Ninan. “Once you have the vaccine, the cells in your body have to build an antibody response to protect you from the flu. That process takes about two weeks.”

Common flu complications

Beyond its normal symptoms, sometimes flu complications make the virus even more unpleasant. The most common flu complications include

  • Ear infections
  • Sinus infections
  • Pneumonia

“Bacterial pneumonia is a serious flu complication that requires medical attention,” says Dr. Ninan. “The influenza virus can infect the lungs. When it does, the lungs can fill with pus or liquid that block oxygen from reaching the blood stream. Without enough oxygen, the body’s cells can’t work the way they should.”

Pneumonia is a flu complication that most often affects young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. Left untreated, pneumonia is a flu complication that can be deadly. See your WellMed doctor if your flu symptoms worsen and any time you have trouble breathing. Our network of WellMed physicians is here to help you recover and feel better when the flu strikes.

Seniors and flu complications

“People 65 and older have the greatest risk of serious flu complications,” Dr. Ninan reveals. Seniors in nursing care facilities, as well as those with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable. Individuals with asthma, diabetes and heart disease can be hit hard by the flu. In addition to pneumonia, they have a higher risk for inflammation of the heart and brain, organ failure and sepsis. Medicare reports that getting the flu shot helps seniors lower their risk of hospital visits and death.

Flu prevention

Flu is very contagious. The virus floats through the air and lingers on common surfaces people touch. Schools, workplaces, shopping malls, grocery stores and every place people gather are loaded with viruses. Because people aren’t always careful about washing their hands before touching common surfaces, getting an annual vaccine is the best flu prevention.

“Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent the flu,” advises Dr. Ninan. “It’s especially important for seniors to get their flu shot. We encourage Medicare patients to get the high-dose flu vaccine.”

Studies show the higher dose is potentially more effective than the standard dose in seniors. This offers seniors better flu prevention protection since they have the greatest risk for serious flu complications.

Some high-dose flu vaccines have more flu virus antigen — the part that stimulates the immune system to fight influenza. Or they may contain the same amount of antigen, but also include adjuvant — an ingredient to boost the immune system. The vaccines offer beefed-up flu prevention and help fend off serious flu complications in seniors.

There can be some side effects with the high-dose flu vaccine. They can include:

  • Headache
  • Soreness or pain at the shot site
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue

Talk to your WellMed primary care doctor to see which flu vaccine is best for you. Remember, seeing your WellMed doctor for routine health care is one of the best ways to stay healthy during flu season and all year long.

Flu shots near me

Ready to get your flu shot? WellMed has hundreds of experienced doctors across Texas and Florida who offer the flu shot. Now you don’t have to wonder, “Where can I get a flu shot near me?” Use our easy lookup tool to find a WellMed doctor or clinic in your area.

Find a doctor

Frequently asked questions: Flu shots

What is the senior flu shot?

“Some flu shots have a higher dose of virus antigen to help the immune system to fight the flu. Or they may contain adjuvant, an ingredient that’s also designed to boost the body’s defenses against the flu,” Dr. Ninan explains. “These beefed-up vaccines are often call the ‘senior flu shot’ because they are recommended for people 65 and older who have a higher risk of serious complications if they get the flu.”

Will the flu shot give me the flu?

“This is one of the most common questions patients ask about the flu vaccine,” Dr. Ninan admits. “Patients don’t need to worry. The answer is ‘no.’ The flu shot does not cause the flu. Although some flu shots are made with the flu virus, the virus is inactivate. The inactive virus is no longer infectious. The nasal spray version of the flu vaccine is made with live flu virus, but the virus has been changed so it cannot give you the flu. No one needs to worry, including Medicare patients, that getting the flu shot will give them the flu.”

Should I avoid anything after getting the flu shot?

“Most people tolerate the flu shot very well,” Dr. Ninan says. “The only thing I caution against is drinking alcohol after you get a flu shot. Drink water instead. If your arm is sore at the injection site or you feel achy or feverish, you can take on over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your flu symptoms. Otherwise, you should be fine to carry on with your normal activities. Of course, if you have any concern or notice any signs of an allergic reaction within a few hours of your shot, call your doctor right away.”

Signs of an allergic reaction can include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fast heart beat
  • Dizziness
  • Wheezing
  • Swelling around the lips or eyes
  • Hives
  • Weakness

Are there people who should not get the flu shot?

“An annual flu shot is recommended for nearly everyone at least six months of age and older,” says Dr. Ninan. “Still, there are some individuals who should not get the flu shot, including children less than six-months old and people with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu shots or any ingredients in them. Anyone with a severe allergy to eggs should talk to their WellMed doctor before getting the flu shot. Similarly, someone who has ever had the immune disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome should talk with their doctor before getting the flu shot.

When should I see a doctor about flu symptoms?

While flu symptom can make you feel miserable for several days, most can be handled with bedrest, fluids, over-the-counter pain relievers and other meds. Still, you should call your doctor if your flu makes an existing medical condition worse or if you experience these symptoms:

  • Severe, ongoing vomiting
  • Trouble breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest
  • Confusion, dizziness
  • Difficulty urinating

Want to learn more about the benefits of the flu shot? Read this article.

Sources:

1. Key Fact About Influenza (Flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm. Accessed August 2024.

2. Flu Symptoms and Complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm. Accessed August 2024.

3. What Is the Connection Between Influenza and Pneumonia? American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/what-is-the-connection. Accessed Augst 2024.

4. Flu and People 65 & Older. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm?s_cid=SEM.GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_F-FLU-Seniors-Brd:flu%20shots%20for%20seniors:SEM00112&utm_id=SEM.GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_F-FLU-Seniors-Brd:flu%20shots%20for%20seniors:SEM00112&gad_source=1. Accessed August 2024.

5. High Dose Flu Vaccines: How Are They Different From Other Flu Vaccines? May Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/expert-answers/fluzone/faq-20058032. Accessed August 2024.

6. Flu Vaccine Safety Information. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/general.htm. Accessed August 2024.

7. Flu Shots. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/flu-shots. Accessed August 2024.