In the United States, flu season is usually during fall and winter. Flu viruses can spread year-round, but most of the time flu cases are common between December and February. Get your flu shot early to stay safe during flu season.
What To Know
- Influenza (also known as “flu”) is a contagious illness in your lungs caused by influenza viruses.
- The flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
- The best way to lower your risk from the flu and any serious issues is to get a flu vaccine each year.
- A flu vaccine can make your symptoms less and lower your risk for other health problems.
- Talk to your primary care provider* (PCP) if the flu vaccine is right for you.
Flu Symptoms
Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms can show up fast. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
Fever** or feeling chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Tired
Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
*Your primary care provider (PCP) is your personal doctor if you need a check-up, want advice about a health problem, or get sick or hurt.
**Not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Take Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year, especially if you are at higher risk. Try to get it by the end of October before the flu season, but people should still get vaccinated during the flu season if flu viruses still pose a threat to your community.
A yearly flu vaccine is the best way that you can reduce your risk of flu and any serious issues.
Keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season!
Frequently Asked Questions
The flu shot contains a killed form of several types of flu viruses. The vaccine causes your immune system to make antibodies (a protein used to find and fight bacteria and viruses). If you are exposed to the flu later, these antibodies can attack and destroy the virus. You can’t get sick with the flu from a flu vaccine.
It takes about 2 weeks for your body to make antibodies. So, it’s best to get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. But the vaccine can still help if you get it during flu season.
Flu viruses change quickly, so each year scientists make a new vaccine. To have the best chance of being protected, you need to get the flu vaccine each year.
All people six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine each year. You can get flu vaccines at the same time as COVID-19, RSV, or other vaccines. It is safe, effective and convenient to get these vaccines at the same time.
A flu vaccine is even more important for people who are at high risk for getting other health problems from the flu. This includes:
- If you are age 50 or older
- If you have a chronic (long-term) disease, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and lung disease such as asthma.
- If you live in a nursing home or long-term care center.
- If you have a weak immune system
- If you are pregnant
- Young children
A flu vaccine is also important for people who could spread the flu to others who are at high risk. This includes if you:
- Live with or care for young children.
- Are in close contact with a person who is at high risk, including family, friends, and caregivers.
- Are a health care worker.
- Children younger than 6 months old
- If you have severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any part of the vaccine
Talk to your PCP before getting a flu vaccine if you:
- Have a severe allergy to eggs or any part of the vaccine.
- Have had a serious reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
- Have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
- Are sick. (If you are ill and have a fever, wait until you’re better before you get a flu vaccine.)
If you can’t get a flu vaccine but are at risk from the flu, you may be able to take an antiviral medicine instead. Find out more from your PCP what is right for you.
A flu vaccine may keep you from getting sick with the seasonal flu. This can save you time (less days missed from work or school) and money (less doctor visits, medicine, and hospital costs). The flu vaccine can also help prevent the spread of flu to others. If you are pregnant, it can help prevent your newborn baby from getting sick.
If you do get the flu after getting the flu vaccine, your symptoms may be milder and you may be less likely to have other health problems from the flu.
The flu shot may cause mild problems, such as soreness, redness, and swelling on the arm where you got the shot. You might also have a fever and muscle aches for a day or two after you get the vaccine.
You can’t get sick with the flu from a flu vaccine.
The risk of a serious problem from the flu vaccine (such as a bad allergic reaction) is very small.