Can You Get the Flu Get Over It Then Catch It Again in a Month
Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is oft called the flu. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
Flu can exist a mild disease for some people. For older people, especially those who have other wellness issues, the flu can exist very serious and fifty-fifty life-threatening. Getting a flu vaccine every year can help forbid the flu. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available for little to no cost to you.
How serious is the flu?
Near people who get the flu feel better after a few days to two weeks. However, the flu can be serious, and some people will develop other wellness issues, called complications, because of the flu. Complications tin can be mild, such as a sinus or ear infection, or more serious, like pneumonia.
Anyone can get sick from the flu, but some people are more likely to take complications. You are more at risk for flu and its complications if you:
- Are historic period 65 or older
- Take sure medical weather condition such every bit asthma, diabetes, or chronic kidney illness
- Have heart disease or take had a stroke
- Live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
Pregnant women and children younger than five years quondam are too more than likely to get very sick from the influenza. Learn more than nearly people at increased take chances for influenza and its complications.
Why is the influenza more dangerous for older adults?
The flu is more dangerous for older adults for a few reasons. One reason is that the immune system — which helps your body fight infections — weakens as yous historic period. For case, considering your body is busy fighting off the influenza, yous might selection upwardly a 2d infection such as pneumonia. A 2nd reason is that older adults are also more probable to take other wellness conditions, similar diabetes, that increment their risk for complications from the flu.
The good news is the flu vaccination reduces your take a chance of getting the flu and of getting seriously ill if you practise get sick with the flu. Influenza vaccination is especially helpful for people with chronic health conditions. For example, it has been linked to lower rates of eye bug (cardiac events) amid people with heart affliction and fewer hospitalizations among people who have chronic lung disease or diabetes. Learn more nigh the benefits of influenza vaccination.
How does the flu spread?
The influenza is contagious, which means it spreads from person to person. Information technology mostly spreads through droplets in the air when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. It tin can spread from up to half dozen feet away. Although it isn't every bit common, the flu can besides spread from surfaces, for case, if y'all touch something the virus is on and so touch your nose, mouth, or optics.
Information technology's possible to spread the influenza before y'all experience sick and when you lot have symptoms. Typically, people with the influenza tin spread it a mean solar day before, and up to a week after feeling sick. Young children and people with weakened immune systems may be able to spread the flu for even longer. If you or someone y'all know is ill with the flu, have steps to help prevent spreading the disease.
Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-nineteen?
The mutual cold, influenza, and COVID-19 tin all crusade similar symptoms. If you have symptoms, talk with your health care provider. Your provider tin can help determine the cause of your illness and help you take steps to feel better.
A common cold is often milder than the flu. The flu and COVID-19 have like symptoms, but COVID-xix spreads more than easily and symptoms tend to be more severe. Information technology's also more common to have a change in your sense of smell or taste with COVID-xix.
People with the flu tin can have fever, chills, dry coughing, general aches and pains, and a headache. They feel very tired. Sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, or stomach problems are less common. What some people call "tum flu" is not influenza. Larn more about the differences between the flu and a cold and flu and COVID-19.
Common symptoms of a cold, the flu, and COVID-xix
The chart beneath shows common symptoms. Not everyone will take these symptoms. Your symptoms may exist more or less severe, or you may only have a few. If you lot experience ill, stay dwelling house and phone call your doctor
| Common Symptoms | Cold | Flu | COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever and/or chills | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Headache | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Musculus pain or torso aches | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Feeling tired or weak | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sore throat | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Runny or stuffy nose | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sneezing | ✔ | ||
| Cough | ✔ | ||
| Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing | ✔ | ||
| Vomiting and diarrhea | ✔ | ||
| Change in or loss of taste or smell | ✔ |
How tin can you preclude the flu?
The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. Getting your flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu. It as well reduces your chances of existence hospitalized or dying if you practice get ill with the flu.
In addition to getting your flu vaccine, you lot tin can assist terminate the spread of flu by:
- Washing your hands
- Covering your mouth when y'all cough or sneeze
- Staying home when y'all are ill
- Fugitive shut contact with people who are sick
Who should you become a flu vaccine and which one should you choose?
Flu typically spreads in the autumn and winter. It usually starts to spread in October and peaks between December and February. That's why this time is chosen the flu season.
It takes at least two weeks for your flu vaccine to first working, and so try to get vaccinated by the cease of October. Even so, getting vaccinated after October can still help protect you from the flu. Because older adults may lose immunity from a flu vaccine more quickly, try to avoid getting vaccinated as well early (before September).
Several influenza vaccines are available. There are besides two types of high-dose vaccinations specifically for people 65 years and older that create a stronger immune response after vaccination. Talk with your health care provider or chemist about which vaccine is all-time for you.
Where can you lot get a flu vaccine?
You can get your flu vaccine at your physician's part or from your local health department. Many grocery and drug stores as well offer flu vaccines. Visit Vaccines.gov to notice a location about you.
Why practise you need a flu vaccine every twelvemonth?
You lot need a influenza vaccine every year for 2 reasons. First, flu viruses alter and the flu vaccine is updated each year to target the flu viruses that are anticipated to spread that year. Second, the protection y'all get from a flu vaccine lessens with time, especially in older people. Getting your influenza vaccine every fall gives y'all the all-time protection from that year's flu viruses.
What are the side furnishings of influenza vaccines?
The flu vaccine is safe and cannot give you lot the influenza. Most people have no problem with a flu vaccine.
The most common side furnishings 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 later getting the vaccine and tin last up to 2 days. They typically practise not become in the way of daily activities.
Even people with mild egg allergies can safely get near influenza vaccines. Egg-free flu vaccines are likewise bachelor. You should non go vaccinated if you have had a astringent allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past. Talk with your wellness intendance provider almost your options for flu vaccines and side effects.
How much does getting a flu vaccine cost?
Most people can get a flu vaccine for little to no out-of-pocket toll. Medicare and most private health insurance plans will comprehend the cost of your flu vaccine. However, some insurance plans require that y'all receive your vaccine at a specific location. Check with your insurance visitor. If you practise not take health insurance, contact your local or state wellness department.
What can you practice if you lot get the flu?
If you lot go the flu, there are steps y'all can take to feel better. Act fast! Kickoff, talk with your health intendance provider. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, so you may need to get tested for an authentic diagnosis. This volition also assistance determine which medications might make y'all feel ameliorate.
There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the influenza. If yous take them within 48 hours after the influenza begins, these drugs can make you experience meliorate more quickly. Antivirals tin also assist reduce your risk of complications from flu. Antibiotics do not help you lot recover from the flu. Still, they are sometimes prescribed to help 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 drinkable enough of fluids like juice and water, but non alcohol. Medicine, such every bit acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can bring downwardly your fever and might help with the aches and pains. It is important not to smoke if yous are sick with the flu. It is a respiratory disease that tin infect your lungs as well as your nasal passages. These aforementioned areas are also affected by smoking. Accept it piece of cake as much every bit you can until you are well.
Monitor your symptoms and talk with your doc if your symptoms worsen or go severe. For example, if yous:
- Have a fever that goes away and and then comes dorsum. That may be a sign of another infection.
- Start having breathing or heart bug or your other health problems worsen.
- Feel ongoing pain or pressure in the chest or belly .
- Continue to feel sick and you are not getting better.
- Accept a coughing that brings up thick mucus.
For more information about the flu
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
888-232-6348 (TTY)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov
This content is provided by the NIH National Establish on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure information technology 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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