Ill Dial in Your Number and Then Two Seconds Later Ill Do It Again
Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is oft called the influenza. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, pharynx, and sometimes the lungs.
Flu tin can be a balmy illness for some people. For older people, especially those who have other health issues, the flu tin be very serious and even life-threatening. Getting a influenza vaccine every year can help prevent the flu. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available for piddling to no price to y'all.
How serious is the flu?
Virtually people who get the flu experience meliorate after a few days to two weeks. All the same, the flu can be serious, and some people will develop other health problems, chosen complications, considering of the flu. Complications can be mild, such as a sinus or ear infection, or more serious, like pneumonia.
Anyone tin get sick from the influenza, but some people are more probable to have complications. You are more at risk for influenza and its complications if you:
- Are age 65 or older
- Have certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease
- Accept heart disease or have had a stroke
- Live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
Meaning women and children younger than five years old are also more than likely to get very sick from the flu. Learn more about people at increased hazard for flu and its complications.
Why is the flu more unsafe for older adults?
The flu is more unsafe for older adults for a few reasons. One reason is that the immune organisation — which helps your body fight infections — weakens every bit you age. For example, because your trunk is decorated fighting off the flu, you might choice upward a second infection such as pneumonia. A second reason is that older adults are too more probable to take other health weather condition, like diabetes, that increase their run a risk for complications from the flu.
The skilful news is the influenza vaccination reduces your risk of getting the flu and of getting seriously ill if yous practice get ill with the flu. Flu vaccination is particularly helpful for people with chronic health conditions. For example, it has been linked to lower rates of eye problems (cardiac events) amidst people with center disease and fewer hospitalizations amid people who have chronic lung illness or diabetes. Larn more than about the benefits of flu vaccination.
How does the influenza spread?
The flu is contagious, which means it spreads from person to person. It mostly spreads through droplets in the air when people with influenza cough, sneeze, or talk. It can spread from up to six feet away. Although information technology isn't as common, the influenza can also spread from surfaces, for example, if you touch something the virus is on then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.
Information technology'due south possible to spread the flu before you feel sick and when you have symptoms. Typically, people with the flu tin can spread it a day before, and up to a week after feeling sick. Immature children and people with weakened immune systems may exist able to spread the flu for even longer. If you or someone you lot know is ill with the flu, take steps to assistance prevent spreading the illness.
Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-19?
The common cold, flu, and COVID-xix can all cause like symptoms. If you have symptoms, talk with your wellness care provider. Your provider can assistance determine the cause of your illness and aid you take steps to feel better.
A common cold is often milder than the flu. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, but COVID-19 spreads more easily and symptoms tend to be more astringent. Information technology'due south also more common to have a change in your sense of smell or taste with COVID-19.
People with the flu can have fever, chills, dry cough, general aches and pains, and a headache. They feel very tired. Sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, or stomach bug are less common. What some people call "tummy flu" is non flu. Learn more nigh the differences between the flu and a cold and flu and COVID-19.
Common symptoms of a cold, the influenza, and COVID-19
The nautical chart beneath shows common symptoms. Non everyone will have these symptoms. Your symptoms may be more or less severe, or yous may merely accept a few. If you experience sick, stay home and call your doctor
| Common Symptoms | Cold | Influenza | COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever and/or chills | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Headache | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Musculus pain or body aches | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Feeling tired or weak | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sore throat | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Runny or stuffy nose | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sneezing | ✔ | ||
| Cough | ✔ | ||
| Shortness of jiff or difficulty animate | ✔ | ||
| Airsickness and diarrhea | ✔ | ||
| Modify in or loss of gustation or scent | ✔ |
How can you prevent the flu?
The most effective way to preclude the flu is to get a flu vaccine every yr. Everyone half dozen months and older should get a flu vaccine. Getting your influenza vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu. It too reduces your chances of being hospitalized or dying if yous exercise get ill with the flu.
In improver to getting your influenza vaccine, you can assist terminate the spread of influenza by:
- Washing your hands
- Covering your mouth when yous coughing or sneeze
- Staying home when you are sick
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Who should you get a flu vaccine and which one should you choose?
Flu typically spreads in the fall and winter. It normally starts to spread in October and peaks between Dec and February. That'south why this fourth dimension is called the flu season.
It takes at to the lowest degree two weeks for your influenza vaccine to start working, so attempt to become vaccinated by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated after October can still assistance protect you from the flu. Because older adults may lose immunity from a flu vaccine more than rapidly, try to avoid getting vaccinated as well early (before September).
Several flu vaccines are bachelor. At that place are also ii types of high-dose vaccinations specifically for people 65 years and older that create a stronger immune response after vaccination. Talk with your wellness care provider or pharmacist about which vaccine is all-time for you.
Where tin can you get a flu vaccine?
Y'all can get your flu vaccine at your medico's office or from your local wellness department. Many grocery and drug stores as well offering flu vaccines. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a location near y'all.
Why do you need a flu vaccine every twelvemonth?
Y'all demand a influenza vaccine every year for two reasons. Start, flu viruses alter and the flu vaccine is updated each yr to target the flu viruses that are anticipated to spread that twelvemonth. 2d, the protection you get from a flu vaccine lessens with time, especially in older people. Getting your flu vaccine every fall gives you lot the best protection from that year's flu viruses.
What are the side furnishings of flu vaccines?
The flu vaccine is safe and cannot requite you the flu. Most people take no problem with a influenza vaccine.
The most mutual side effects are soreness, redness, or swelling where you were vaccinated. Some people also get a headache, fever, nausea, or muscle aches. These side effects may start shortly subsequently getting the vaccine and can last up to two days. They typically exercise not go in the way of daily activities.
Even people with balmy egg allergies can safely get almost flu vaccines. Egg-gratuitous flu vaccines are also bachelor. Y'all should not get vaccinated if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. Talk with your health intendance provider about your options for influenza vaccines and side furnishings.
How much does getting a flu vaccine cost?
Well-nigh people can get a influenza vaccine for little to no out-of-pocket price. Medicare and most private health insurance plans will cover the cost of your influenza vaccine. Nevertheless, some insurance plans require that you receive your vaccine at a specific location. Check with your insurance company. If you lot do non have health insurance, contact your local or country health department.
What can y'all do if you get the flu?
If y'all become the influenza, there are steps y'all tin take to feel ameliorate. Human action fast! First, talk with your health care provider. The influenza and COVID-xix have like symptoms, and so you may demand to get tested for an accurate diagnosis. This volition also help make up one's mind which medications might make you feel better.
There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the influenza. If you lot take them within 48 hours after the flu begins, these drugs can make you lot feel better more quickly. Antivirals can also aid reduce your risk of complications from influenza. Antibiotics do not assist you lot recover from the flu. Notwithstanding, they are sometimes prescribed to assistance you recover from a secondary infection if it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.
If you are sick, rest and drink plenty of fluids like juice and h2o, simply not alcohol. Medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can bring downwards your fever and might aid with the aches and pains. It is important not to smoke if y'all are ill with the flu. It is a respiratory affliction that can infect your lungs likewise as your nasal passages. These same areas are also afflicted by smoking. Take it easy as much as you can until you are well.
Monitor your symptoms and talk with your md if your symptoms worsen or get severe. For example, if you:
- Accept a fever that goes away and and so comes back. That may exist a sign of another infection.
- Start having breathing or heart problems or your other health bug worsen.
- Experience ongoing pain or force per unit area in the chest or belly .
- Continue to feel ill and you are not getting better.
- Have a coughing that brings upwardly thick mucus.
For more information about the flu
Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
888-232-6348 (TTY)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov
This content is provided past the NIH National Institute on Crumbling (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Content reviewed: December 01, 2021
Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/flu-and-older-adults
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