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Every year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, commonly known as influenza. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
For some people, the flu is a mild illness. But for others, including older adults or people with chronic (long-term) health problems, the flu can be serious and even life-threatening. Getting an annual flu shot can help prevent this disease. The vaccine is safe, effective and comes at little or no cost to you.
How serious is the flu?
Most people who get the flu feel better after a few days or two weeks. However, the flu can make you very sick. Some people end up developing other health problems, called complications, from the flu. Complications can be minor, such as a sinus or ear infection, or more serious, such as pneumonia.
Anyone can get sick from the flu, but some people are more likely to develop complications. You are at higher risk of getting the flu and its complications if:
Pregnant women and children under five are also more likely to become seriously ill from the flu. Flu vaccination is especially important for these high-risk groups. Learn more about people who are at high risk for complications from the flu.
Why is the flu more dangerous for older people?
The flu is more dangerous for older adults for a number of reasons. One is that the immune system, which helps the body fight infections, weakens with age. For example, because your body is fighting the flu, you may get a secondary infection like pneumonia. The second reason is that older adults are also more likely to have other health problems, such as diabetes, which increase the risk of complications from the flu.
The good news is that the flu shot can reduce your risk of getting the flu or becoming seriously ill. The flu vaccine is especially helpful for people with chronic medical conditions. For example, it has been linked to lower rates of heart disease (cardiac events) in people with heart disease and lower rates of hospitalization in people with chronic lung disease or diabetes. Learn more about the benefits of getting the flu shot.
How does influenza spread?
The flu is contagious, which means it can be spread from one person to another. It does this primarily through droplets in the air when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can spread up to six feet (nearly two meters). Although less common, the flu can also be spread through surfaces. For example, if you touch an area where the virus is present and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.
You can spread the flu before you feel sick and when you already have symptoms. People with the flu often shed the virus the day before and a week after getting sick. Young children and people with weakened immune systems can spread the flu longer. If you or someone you know has the flu, take steps to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-19?
The common cold, flu, and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. All of these can cause similar symptoms. If you develop symptoms, a doctor or other health care provider can determine the cause of your illness and help you take steps to feel better.
Colds are usually milder than the flu. Flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, but COVID-19 spreads more easily and symptoms tend to be more severe. Changes in your sense of smell or taste are also more common due to COVID-19.
People with the flu may experience fever, chills, dry cough, body aches and headaches. They feel tired. Less common are sore throats, sneezing, nasal congestion, or stomach problems. What some people call the “stomach flu” is not the flu. Learn more about the difference between the flu and colds and the flu and COVID-19.
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How to tell if an elderly person has a fever
The average normal body temperature of older adults is slightly lower than that of younger adults. Therefore, when older people are sick, their fever temperatures may also be lower. According to the CDC, the following temperatures in older adults may be signs of an infection, such as COVID-19 or the flu:
- A single temperature reading is greater than 100°F (37.8°C),
- Multiple temperature readings above 99°F (37.2°C),
- The temperature is more than 2°F (1.1°C) above normal human body temperature.
If you’re worried you may have a fever, talk to your health care provider about steps you can take to feel better.
Common symptoms of colds, flu and COVID-19
The table below lists common symptoms of three diseases. Not everyone will experience these symptoms. Your symptoms may be more or less severe, or they may only be a few. If you feel sick, stay home and call your health care provider.
How to prevent the flu?
The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot every year. Everyone over 6 months old should get a flu shot. It can reduce your chances of getting the disease and your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the flu.
In addition to getting a flu shot, you can help stop the spread of the flu by:
- handwashing,
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing,
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth,
- Stay home when you are sick,
- Avoid close contact with sick people,
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home, workplace, or school.
Who should get the flu vaccine? Which vaccine should you choose?
You can get the flu at any time of the year, but it’s common in the fall and winter. It usually starts spreading in October and reaches its peak between December and February. That’s why this period is called flu season.
It takes at least two weeks for the flu shot to start working, so try to get vaccinated before the end of October. However, getting vaccinated after October can still help protect you against the flu. Because older adults may lose protection from the flu vaccine more quickly, try to avoid getting vaccinated too early (before September).
There are flu vaccines designed specifically for older adults. The CDC recommends that people 65 and older get the high-dose flu vaccine or the adjuvanted flu vaccine (which contains an extra ingredient called a adjuvant or adjuvant that helps produce a stronger immune response). These vaccines may be more effective than the standard flu vaccine in this age group. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about which vaccine is best for you.
Where can I get a flu shot?
You can get a flu shot at your doctor’s office or at your local health department. Flu shots are also available in many supermarkets and pharmacies. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Why do I need to get a flu shot every year?
There are two reasons why you need to get a flu shot every year. First, flu viruses change, and flu vaccines are updated every year to target the flu viruses expected to be circulating that year. Second, the protection provided by the flu vaccine wanes over time, especially in older adults. Getting a flu shot each fall provides you with the best protection against that year’s flu virus.
What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is safe and will not give you the flu. Most people don’t have any problems after getting a flu shot.
When side effects occur, they are usually mild and go away on their own. The most common side effects are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site. Some people also experience headache, fever, nausea, or muscle aches. These side effects appear soon after vaccination and can last up to two days. They usually don’t stop you from doing your daily activities.
If you have allergies, discuss your flu shot options with your healthcare provider. Even people with a mild allergy to eggs can safely get most flu vaccines. There are also flu vaccines that do not contain eggs. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past, you should not get the vaccine.
How much does a flu vaccine cost?
Most people can get a flu shot at little or no cost. Medicare and most private health insurance plans cover the cost of the flu shot. However, some insurance plans require you to get vaccinated at specific locations. Please check with your insurance company. If you do not have health insurance, contact your local or state health department.
What should I do if I have the flu?
If you get the flu, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel better. Act quickly! First, talk to your health care provider. The flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, so you may need to get tested for an accurate diagnosis. This will also help determine which medications can make you feel better.
There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, used to treat people with the flu. These medicines can make you feel better faster if you take them within 48 hours of having flu symptoms. Antiviral medications can also help reduce the risk of complications from the flu. Although antibiotics cannot help you recover from the flu, they are sometimes prescribed to treat secondary infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of bacteria than viruses.
If you are sick, rest and drink plenty of fluids, such as juice and water, but not alcohol. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can reduce fever and relieve pain.
It is important not to smoke if you have the flu. Influenza is a respiratory illness that can infect the lungs and nasal passages. These areas are also affected by smoking.
Monitor your symptoms and talk to your healthcare provider if you start to feel worse. For example, contact your provider immediately if:
- You feel short of breath or have difficulty breathing.
- You feel weak, dizzy, or confused.
- Persistent pain or pressure in your chest or abdomen.
- If you have a fever or cough that comes back after it goes away, this could be a sign of a secondary infection.
- You feel like other chronic health problems, such as asthma or heart disease, have worsened.
- You have any other symptoms that worry you.
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The information contained in this document was provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, and has been reviewed for accuracy and updated by its scientists and other experts.
Text revision date: June 14, 2022