Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Reading Time: 3 min

No one wants to get sick, and that goes double when it involves influenza (flu). This highly contagious respiratory infection often comes on quickly and can leave you feeling your worst for days at a time. However, being prepared can get you back on the road to recovery faster, so you can feel your best again.

Our team at All Day Medical Care Clinic knows the flu is more than just an inconvenience. To help, we offer urgent care and sick visits seven days a week to ensure you can get the care you need when you need it most, especially during flu season.

As we head into flu season, our team wanted to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this illness so you’ll be ready.

When is flu season?

Technically, you can get sick with the flu any time of year. However, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. In the United States, that means increasing cases of illness in October with peak activity between December and February. But, you can still see significant flu activity lasting as late as May.

How do I know if I have the flu?

The flu is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, or your nose, throat, and lungs. Common signs of the flu include:

  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Persistent, dry cough
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Fever, chills, and sweats
  • Diarrhea and vomiting (more common in children)

In many cases, flu symptoms come on suddenly and more severely than those associated with a cold. However, it shares several symptoms with COVID-19, so it’s important to know the difference.

What’s the difference between the flu and COVID-19?

The flu and COVID-19 have several things in common, especially as it relates to symptoms. But different viruses cause these respiratory infections, so they require personalized attention.

Generally speaking, COVID-19 can cause more-serious illnesses in some individuals when compared to the flu, along with life-threatening complications. COVID-19 also seems to spread more easily, and people remain contagious for longer — especially without showing symptoms.

You usually can’t differentiate between the flu and COVID-19 through symptoms alone, and you can have both illnesses at the same time. Instead, you need COVID-19 testing to confirm your diagnosis to ensure you get the most effective treatment.

How can I avoid getting the flu?

No one wants to get sick. Fortunately, you can reduce your chances of infection by doing the following:

  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing
  • Distancing yourself from people when sharing indoor public spaces
  • Cleansing your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Disinfecting high traffic surfaces regularly, such as door knobs and counters
  • Wearing face coverings or surgical masks

Getting a seasonal flu shot can also protect you from illness.

If I get vaccinated, can I still get the flu?

The best prevention you can take against the flu involves getting a flu shot, which is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. However, this doesn’t guarantee you won’t get infected by an influenza-causing virus.

Each year, experts develop a flu vaccine for the flu-causing viruses expected to predominate that season. As a result, a flu shot usually protects vaccinated individuals from three or four different viruses. When well-matched to that season’s viruses, it reduces the risk of illness by 40-60%.

On top of that, a flu shot typically reduces the severity of flu symptoms in those who become ill despite vaccination.

What should I do if I think I have the flu?

Our team wants you to feel better as soon as possible. That’s why we’re open seven days a week. Whether you schedule a sick appointment, urgent care visit, or simply walk in, we’re ready to diagnose your illness so you can begin treatment as quickly as possible.

If you have the flu, we often prescribe antivirals. However, they’re most effective when taken as early as possible when your symptoms appear. In these cases, you can expect your symptoms to improve and ease up faster. We can also recommend home care treatment plans to help you recover as quickly as possible.

We also offer telemedicine appointments and COVID testing, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll get the care you need no matter what.

Are you ready for the flu season? Learn more about vaccines or schedule a care appointment at one of our convenient All Day Medical Care Clinic locations today.

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

Autor

All Day Medical Care Clinic Team

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

 Rett Syndrome

 Rett Syndrome

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

Types of Work Injuries

Types of Work Injuries

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Diet and Mental Health: How Nutrition Shapes Your Well-Being

Diet and Mental Health: How Nutrition Shapes Your Well-Being

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat Symptoms

10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat Symptoms

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

The Importance of Getting Your Women’s Health Screening

The Importance of Getting Your Women’s Health Screening

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Erectile Dysfunction – Everything You Need to Know

Erectile Dysfunction – Everything You Need to Know

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Work Injury? Get Evaluated and Plan Your Recovery

Work Injury? Get Evaluated and Plan Your Recovery

Boosting Immunity for Flu Season

Boosting Immunity for Flu Season

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

Five Reasons Why You Should Get an Annual Check-Up

What is Mindfulness? Best Practice for Greater Well-being

What is Mindfulness? Best Practice for Greater Well-being

What is Common Cold?

What is Common Cold?

Understanding Hepatitis B: Protecting Your Health and Future

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

How Mental Health Issues Affect Men Differently

How Mental Health Issues Affect Men Differently

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

What are Anger Issues?

What are Anger Issues?

Managing Seasonal Stress

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

We'll text you

Enter your info and we’ll text you shortly.