Flu Vaccine

Influenza is commonly referred to as “the flu.” Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses can cause infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Each year, seasonal strains of virus cause outbreaks of the infection.

Influenza usually spreads from person to person when someone infected coughs, sneezes or talks and expels the virus into the air. You also can contract the virus by handling an object touched by an infected person.

People can be contagious with influenza a day before symptoms show, which makes it so easy to spread the illness from one person to another. Influenza may cause symptoms ranging from mild to life threatening.

Symptoms of influenza include:
• Fever* (102-103° F) or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Because the virus strains that cause influenza change from year to year, it is important for most people to receive a vaccination every year. It is recommended everyone age 6 months and older receive their annual flu vaccine.

There are few side effects for most persons receiving flu vaccines. These may include a sore arm where the vaccine was administered, a slight fever or body aches.

In most cases, the side effects only last a few days. If you develop more severe reactions, contact your health care provider immediately.

If you become ill with influenza, the CDC recommends you:
• Stay home from work or school.
• Avoid contact with others except to get medical care.
• Get lots of rest.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend antiviral drugs to lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick.

Marshfield Clinic Health System recommends you take the following precautions to protect yourself, your family and your community from influenza.

Preventive steps:
• Getting a flu vaccine is the most important way to protect yourself, your family and your community.
• Avoid close contact with someone who is sick, if possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a face covering when in public.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you sneeze or cough, throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
• Use sanitizing wipes to help disinfect objects that may pass the influenza virus. You can get influenza by touching an object that has been handled by a person with influenza.
• Thoroughly washing your hands with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-base hand disinfectant to help you stay healthy.
• Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth.

If you become sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home from work and public places to prevent spreading influenza.

There is no recommendation that pregnant people or people with pre-existing medical conditions need to get special permission or written consent from their doctor or health care professional for influenza (flu) vaccination if they get vaccinated at a worksite clinic, pharmacy or other location outside of their physician’s office. Pregnant people should not get nasal spray flu vaccine.

Flu shots given during pregnancy help protect both the pregnant parent and the baby from flu.

Learn more about getting the vaccine while pregnant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people at higher risk for flu complications includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

.Learn more about individuals at high risk for flu complications.