Other Factors May Affect Your Risk Of Getting The Flu
Age can greatly affect how effective the vaccine is in reducing your risk of getting the flu. Infants and young children are at an increased risk of catching the flu because their immune systems havent had enough time to build up the antibodies they need to fight off a new infection.
Similarly, older adults may have a declining immune system as a result of other health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or cancer. The CDC offers a higher dose vaccine for some adults over the age of 65 to help strengthen their immune systems response.
Weve Got You Covered For All Things Flu
Your local FastMed is the convenient place to go for flu prevention, flu treatment, and flu education. With extended office hours, online check-in, and neighborhood clinics throughout Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, you can consider us your local headquarters for all things flu-related.
Flu: What To Do If You Get Sick
Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*Its important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
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Are There Different Types Of Flu Tests
In a lab setting, there are a few different ways to test for influenza. The most common test for flu is called a “rapid influenza diagnostic test” . These RIDTs detect the part of the virus that stimulates an immune response, known as an antigen, the CDC says. Another type of flu test, called a “rapid molecular assay” detects the actual genetic material of the flu virus. Both of these tests are termed “rapid” because they can provide results in 1015 minutes or 1520 minutes .
Even more accurate than RIDTs and rapid molecular assays are tests most often found in hospitals or public health laboratories . Those tests are known as: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests, viral cultures, or immunofluorescence assays, the CDC says. These results also take a little longerup to several hours.
But as far as you’re concerned, all of those tests require the same thing from you: a nasal swab, where a provider swipes the inside of your nose or a throat swab, Cassandra Pierre, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center, tells Health. Even more specifically, some tests go further back in the nose, while the rapid test only goes right inside, Anjali Mahoney, MD, MPH, a family medicine specialist with Keck Medicine of USC, tells Health.
When To Get The Flu Shot
Most people contract the influenza virus during flu season,’ which typically lasts from October through March, with most of cases peaking in January. The flu poses risks to people of various ages, ranging from the very young, the very old, to those with compromised immune systems. Here are some things to remember before and after you have your flu shot:
- It takes about 2 weeks for a person to build up immunity after receiving a flu shot . So, ideally, people should get the flu shot about 2 weeks before flu season begins.
- Flu shots are usually only effective for about 6 months, after that it starts to weaken and a person could potentially get the flu even after receiving a flu shot.
- So, despite the early aggressive marketing by retail pharmacies if it’s a long flu season and a person gets a flu shot in August, they would be protected until January.
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A Flu Vaccine Can Help Get You Through The Flu Season
You can help yourself, your family, and friends to stay protected this season by getting a flu shot.
Flu shots are available at many UPMC Urgent Care locations throughout the season. You can schedule an appointment for a flu shot during regular hours.
Flu shots are not offered for children under 4 years of age. Payment for flu shots can be submitted to your insurance provider or resolved through self-pay.
Contact us or talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the flu or receiving a flu vaccine.
What Is A Flu Shot
Flu vaccines help your body fight off influenza viruses. Many viruses can cause flu. Flu vaccines are reviewed yearly to be sure the one you receive targets the most common flu viruses.
A flu vaccine can be given through a shot or nasal spray. A shot is recommended for most people. Talk with a healthcare provider to decide whats best for you.
A vaccine cannot guarantee you wont get the flu, but it will make any flu sickness much milder.
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Avoid The Flu By Getting Your Flu Shots At Any Afc Urgent Care Denver Walk
Flu season doesnt mean you or your family members have to feel crummy. Avoid getting seasonal influenza at any AFC Urgent Care Denver walk-in clinic. We have flu vaccines in stock and available immediatelyno appointment necessary.
Patients above the age of six months old should get a flu shot as soon as possible and right before flu season begins. Without the flu shot you and members of your family will likely get sick, experience irritating symptoms, and missed commitments including school and work.
If you need a flu shot ASAP, please check-in to your nearest AFC Urgent Care Denver facility whenever possible. If patients need to learn more about the flu, how it impacts communities, and how to prevent it, please keep reading:
When Does Flu Season Start
For the last several years, the CDC has consistently recommended you get your annual flu vaccine
Since most cases hit between December and February, it’s recommended you and your family receive the flu shot by the end of October or as soon as the vaccine becomes first available.
CareNow can help provide specific recommendations for those with egg allergies or other concerns.
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Why You Need To Get A Flu Shot This Season
It is a common misconception that you dont need to get the flu vaccine every year. Since your bodys immunity to the flu declines over time, it is important to regularly boost your ability to fight the flu. And since the virus can change or mutate over time, you will want to make sure you are protected against the current or expected strains of the flu.
Why Get A Flu Shot
The flu can make you feel lousy and can lead to severe complications, especially for those over 65 or with compromised immune systems.
Additionally, the flu shot protects not only you, but the people around you too. This flu season, in order to avoid missing work, school and social events, you can protect yourself today by getting the flu shot at one of our convenient locations.
The flu shot is safe to receive after or at the same time that you receive your COVID-19 vaccination.
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How Does The Flu Vaccine Work
The flu vaccinations works by introducing a weakened form of the virus to your body. This triggers your body to naturally build up antibodies that can target the disease specifically. As a result, this vaccination leads to future protection of the illness if the flu virus later infects you, your body can successfully fight the disease without you ever developing symptoms. Traditional flu vaccinations, or trivalent vaccinations, protect against these three types: influenza A virus, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus.
Receiving flu vaccinations regularly is the best defense against the illness, as new strains are formed every year. A regular vaccination is your best defense against infection by these strains. Before you suffer from symptoms make sure to stop into your local DOCS Urgent Care in Connecticut to receive your flu shot, no appointment necessary.
Our Afc Urgent Care Denver Locations Are Ready To Give You Fast Affordable Flu Shots
- Walk-in friendly
- In-network for most Colorado insurers
- Open extended hours
- Staffed by doctors and nurses
Our urgent care centers and walk-in clinics are just a short distance from local Denver neighborhoods including Speer, South Park Hill, Alamo Placita, West Highland, University Hills and other Denver, CO communities.
AFC Urgent Care Denver Leetsdale:
850 S Monaco Pkwy, Suite 10Denver, CO 80224
AFC Urgent Care Denver Speer:
777 E Speer Blvd.
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Getting A Flu Vaccine: Four Steps
Community care flu shots are available to eligible Veterans who:
- Are enrolled in the VA health care system AND
- Received care through VA from either a VA or community provider within the past 24 monthsNOTE: Second requirement is new for 2021-2022 flu season.
To check your eligibility, Veterans can:
Call 800-MyVA411 , select option 1 , then select option 3 , and then option 1 again .NOTE: The system will check your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccine.
Contact your local VA medical facility.
Veterans can get a flu shot without prior authorization. Flu vaccines provided include standard , high dose, and preservative-free.
NOTE: Family members and beneficiaries are not eligible. State, age and health-related restrictions may apply. Individuals who are not eligible and receive a flu vaccine may be liable for the cost of the vaccine.
Can I Get A Free Flu Shot
Sometimes, but not always.
If you have insurance, you can get a discounted or free flu shot almost anywhere, including local pharmacies, chain pharmacies and your primary care doctor’s office.
If you go to urgent care, the shot itself might be free or discounted, but you’ll likely have to pay the copay. And at your doctor’s office, they’ll probably offer the shot for free, but you might have to pay for the office visit if it isn’t covered by your insurance — keep these things in mind when weighing your options.
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How Does The Flu Shot Work
The flu shot helps reduce your risk of contracting the flu by about 50%, according to data by the CDC. The flu vaccine also helps reduce the severity of the illness and lowers the risk of severe complications.
The effectiveness of the vaccine can vary year to year and can depend on the person receiving the shot. The traditional flu shot is normally less effective for older adults, when compared to those under 65.
The flu vaccine works by introducing a small viral protein into the body which causes the body to produce antibodies against the illness. When the body has antibodies against a disease, this helps it create a stronger immune response when it encounters the virus.
It takes about 2 weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies, which is why its wise to get the shot before flu season begins.
So What Should You Do After A Positive Flu Test
If your flu test is positive, your doctor will likely report the case to the state. “It’s really important this year to get a sense of how many people are infected,” says Dr. Pierre.
Your doctor will also decide whether or not you need treatment. The only treatment for influenza, Dr. Mahoney says, is the antiviral drug Tamiflualso called oseltamivirwhich can reduce the duration of symptoms and prevent serious side effects, but Mahoney says it’s only effective within the first 4872 hours of symptoms. So if you have flu symptoms, it’s always a good idea to get tested by a medical provider as soon as you notice them, who can then decide if you need treatment.
While anyone can take Tamiflu, doctors often prescribe it for patients who are at higher risk of severe illness or hospitalization from influenza, such as kids under age two and adults over age 65. “We may even treat those patients if they don’t test positive for flu,” Dr. Mahoney says.”
In general, Dr. Pierre says, patients tolerate Tamiflu well, but some people experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches as side effects.
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What Is Influenza Why Does It Make So Many People Sick During The Year
Influenza, or the flu, hospitalized over 500,000 patients each year and contributes to 40 million flu-related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The disease is able to infect so many people because of its ability to spread quickly and adapt each year.
The flu spreads as infected individuals pass the virus through airborne and peer-to-peer contact. This includes coughing, sneezing, handshaking, and general contact. Each year, the flu spreads in both rural and urban communities at a peak during the late fall/early winter. This is because people tend to stay indoors more, which increases the chance of transmission.
Influenza can be especially dangerous to more vulnerable patients including those with respiratory issues, asthma, older patients, infants under two years old, and patients over 65.
Who Should Get A Flu Shot
EveryoneOlder Than 6 Months
Ochsner offers a variety of flu shot options, including preservative-free alternatives for pregnant women and people with allergies. Please note that due to a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , nasal spray vaccinations will not be available this year.
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Flu Shots Available On Your Schedule
At Springfield Urgent Care, were committed to helping our patients in the Clarkston, Michigan, area receive convenient, competent health care. To that end, we offer flu shots at an affordable cost at our walk-in clinic with no appointment needed. Were open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and we offer an online check-in service so you can reserve your spot in line before you arrive. We also accept many insurance plans and forms of payment, thus making it easy to get your flu shot even if your doctors office is closed or youre visiting our area from out of town.
Do you have questions about whether getting a flu shot is right for you? Contact the friendly staff at Springfield Urgent Care today and well be happy to speak with you. You and your children can also receive high-quality medical care for flu and other respiratory illnesses at our clinic with no appointment needed.
Get A Free Flu Shot Near You
Getting a flu shot is always a good idea. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, its even more important. Why? Because you want to protect yourself from having the flu virus and COVID at the same time.
Maybe you consider the flu an inconvenience, not a serious illness. But, like COVID-19, the flu can be bad news for some. Getting a flu shot can keep you from spreading flu to others at high risk of severe illness .Flu cases were low last year. But theyre likely to rise this year with relaxed mask mandates. You can help keep cases down by getting the shot. Its easy, safe and puts you on the first line of defense.
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The Flu Is Caused By Different Types Of The Influenza Virus
The seasonal flu is typically caused by two types of the influenza virus and their related classifications, including:
- Influenza A – Type A influenza is the most common cause of flu and is spread from person to person. The A subtypes that commonly affect people are A and A according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
- Influenza B – Type B influenza is less common but still spreads among humans. Its dangerous but less severe than Type A. Type B influenza is classified by lineages, including B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.
The flu shot protects against both A influenza viruses and at least one B influenzasometimes both. Since influenza viruses change rapidly, the flu shot is developed to mimic the virus strains most prominent in other parts of the world during the six months before the flu season in the U.S.
Why Should I Get A Flu Shot Every Year
- Every year the influenza virus changes, making it different from the previous year.
- Getting a flu shot every year may not totally prevent the disease, but it can lessen its effects and minimize your chances of getting seriously ill and being hospitalized.
- Your immunity from a flu shot also diminishes over time, so a flu shot every year will help keep you protected.
If you have one of our accepted insurance plans, your flu shot will be covered. You can also pay $22 for a flu shot.
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How To Prevent The Flu
Looking for tips to avoid the flu? For the most effective ways to prevent the flu, start with a few basic flu season tips.
The flu prevention tips recommended by the CDC include:
Im Allergic To Eggs Can I Get A Flu Shot
Yes. The flu shot at Geisinger has a very small amount of egg so small that most people with egg allergies can get the shot.
Geisinger also has a limited supply of egg-free flu vaccines available for people with egg allergies who have had severe reactions to the shot in the past.
If youre allergic to eggs, talk to your doctor about which shot is right for you.
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