Get Your Flu Shot Today
Quick Facts
- Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses.
- It can make you very sick and may lead to serious health problems, especially for people with heart disease or a history of stroke.
- Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications.
Flu: What You Need to Know
The flu, also called influenza, is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. It affects the nose, throat and lungs. Flu can range from mild to severe. In some cases, it can lead to hospitalization or death.
Most people recover within a few days to less than two weeks. Some develop serious complications, especially adults age 65 and older, young children, those who are pregnant and those with certain health conditions.
Flu symptoms often start suddenly. Common symptoms include:
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Feeling very tired
Some people, especially children, may also have vomiting or diarrhea. Not everyone with the flu will have a fever
Flu viruses spread from person to person, mainly through droplets released when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or talks, and other people breathe in these droplets. Less often, a person can get the flu by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
A person with the flu can spread the virus before they feel sick and while they have symptoms. This makes it easy for flu to spread in homes, schools and workplaces. People are usually most contagious during the first three days of illness.
People with heart disease are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu. The flu can put extra stress on the body and heart. Having the flu is associated with a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Among adults hospitalized with flu during recent flu seasons, heart disease was one of the most common chronic (long-term) conditions. About half of adults hospitalized with flu have heart disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies several conditions that can increase the risk of serious flu complications, including:
- Heart failure
- Hypertensive heart disease
- Pulmonary heart disease
- Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), including atrial fibrillation
- Congenital heart disease (heart conditions present at birth)
- History of stroke
If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, talk with your healthcare professional about steps you can take to help protect your health during flu season.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older unless they have a medical reason not to get it.
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk of serious flu complications, including:
- Adults age 65 and older
- People with heart disease
- Anyone who has had a stroke
- People who are pregnant
- People with diabetes
- Those with chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Children younger than 5 years, especially those younger than 2 years
For adults age 65 and older, the CDC recommends certain flu vaccines made to help provide stronger protection. If one of these vaccines is not available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine should be used.
Along with getting a yearly flu vaccine, you can help protect yourself by:
- Washing your hands often
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
- Staying home when you are sick
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
If you have heart disease or a history of stroke and develop flu symptoms, contact your healthcare professional right away.
The flu vaccine: What you need to know this year
The facts are simple: Getting a flu shot every year decreases your chances of getting the flu.
You’re less likely to be hospitalized or die from it, especially if you have heart disease or have had a stroke.
Have heart disease or a history of stroke?
During recent flu seasons, about half of all adults hospitalized for the flu also had heart disease. It’s important to get a flu shot every year to lower your risk of serious illness or hospitalization.
Skip the nasal spray vaccine. It’s approved only for healthy nonpregnant people, ages 2-49. If you have heart disease, have other chronic conditions or are pregnant, choose a flu shot.
65 or older?
A high-dose vaccine provides extra protection.
Typically, the flu season hits people 65 and older the hardest. Between 70% and 85% of seasonal flu-related deaths happen in people 65 and older. Between 50% and 70% of seasonal flu-related hospital stays also hit this group.
Ask your healthcare professional about a high-dose vaccine. If one isn’t available, a standard flu shot is better than none.
Got kids, including babies?
Unclear on timing?
September and October are the best times for most people to get vaccinated. Try to get a flu shot by the end of October. Getting one after October can still provide protection during the height of flu season.
After vaccination, can I still get the flu?
Even if you get the flu shot, you can still get the flu, but it won’t be as severe. Prescription medications called flu antiviral drugs also may lessen the effects of the flu if you take them in time.
Antiviral drugs works best when started within one to two days after flu symptoms begin. High-risk or hospitalized patients may still benefit from the medication if started later. The medications can lessen symptoms, reduce flu complications and shorten sick time by about a day. If you start to feel flu symptoms (fever, chills, cough and/or body aches), visit your healthcare professional, urgent care facility or local pharmacy as soon as possible, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.
And remember, antiviral drugs aren’t a substitute for the flu vaccine.
Flu Myths Busted!
BUSTED! It can be bad, especially if you’re in a high-risk population for severe flu complications, including:
- Adults 65 and older
- People with chronic health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes
- Pregnant women
- Children under age 2
There’s a strong link between the flu and heart disease and stroke. During recent flu seasons, about half of all adults hospitalized for the flu also had heart disease. A 2018 study found that the risk of having a heart attack was six times higher within a week of a flu infection.
BUSTED! Most people tolerate the vaccine well. Some people report mild side effects, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling, low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches.
But the flu can cause much worse symptoms, such as fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and/or fatigue.
You can reduce your chances of feeling bad after you get a flu shot by:
- Staying hydrated
- Applying a cool, clean compress to the injection site
- Considering over-the-counter pain and fever reducers if needed
- Not smoking or drinking alcohol
BUSTED! You need a flu vaccine every year. Immunity reduces over time, and flu virus vaccines are constantly updated to protect against the most recent strain.
BUSTED! People 65 and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults. But people from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are also hit harder by the flu. Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native people have had consistently higher rates of severe flu outcomes, including hospital stays and ICU admissions, from 2009 to 2023.
Are you in a high-risk category for severe flu complications?
Did you know that age and chronic health conditions put you at a higher risk for a severe case of the flu?
Watch this House Calls clip to learn more.
