Kayla was visiting her parents one afternoon and told her mother that she was not feeling well and was a little achy. Her mother asked if she had gotten her flu shot and she said she would go in a few weeks. Later that evening, Kayla had a fever, aches, fatigue and other symptoms and she thought she just had a cold coming on. Two days later she still had the symptoms and her doctor wanted her to go by his office and get swabbed for COVID, Strep, and Flu. Upon doing so, everything was negative except her flu test was positive. Her doctor let her know that he would only be able to treat her symptoms and instructed her to stay in bed. He also told her that his records indicated that she had not had her flu shot and she confirmed that she had yet to get the flu shot. He encouraged her to get the flu shot because it can reduce related illnesses.
Facts:
The flu is contagious and believed that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and people who have flu often feel some or all these symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills – some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- Flu shots are offered at nearby pharmacies, and your healthcare provider