It’s officially fall! Kids are back in school, the air changes ever so slightly, leaves begin to turn, and the taste of warm apple cider reminds us of one of the best parts of fall here in Erie.
Everything is going great. You’re feeling fabulous. Then one morning, you wake up cold but sweaty. You have a nasty headache and feel warmer than you normally do. At first, you think it’s just a bug. It will pass. Then comes the fever.
Could it be the flu?
As a family medicine physician, this is something I talk about with patients every year. Influenza is highly contagious, and we cannot always know exactly when or where we were exposed. What we can do is prepare for flu season, take steps to prevent illness, and know what to do if we become sick.
When my patients ask me where to start, my number one recommendation is simple: get your flu shot.
Why I Recommend the Flu Shot
I recommend the flu vaccine to my patients, and I receive it myself every year. I make sure my family receives it, too. I would never ask my patients to do something that I am unwilling to do myself. For most people, September and October are good times to receive the seasonal flu vaccine because your body needs about two weeks after vaccination to build its immune response.
I also want patients to think beyond themselves when considering vaccination. As a family medicine physician, I care for people at every stage of life. That includes infants, children, adults, and older adults. Some people are also more vulnerable to serious complications from influenza than others. When we take steps to protect our own health, we can also help protect the people around us.
How Do Scientists Know What to Put in the Flu Vaccine?
One of the questions people understandably have is why we need a different flu vaccine every year. This is where something called serology comes into the conversation. That sounds like a complicated medical word, but the concept doesn’t have to be complicated.
Influenza viruses change. Scientists continuously study the flu viruses circulating around the world, including how those viruses are changing and how our immune systems respond to them. They use that information to make a very well educated, evidence based prediction about which strains of influenza are most likely to circulate during the upcoming flu season.
I sometimes think of it like preparing for the weather. We can look at all of the information available to us and make a very educated prediction about what is coming, but we cannot predict the future with absolute certainty.
That is important because I sometimes hear patients say, “Why should I get the flu shot if I could still get the flu?” Because prevention is not always all or nothing.
The vaccine may not prevent every case of influenza, but vaccination can reduce your likelihood of becoming sick and can also reduce the risk of serious complications if you do become infected. For me, that still makes vaccination worthwhile.
Can the Flu Shot Give Me the Flu?
No.
This is probably one of the most common misconceptions I hear, so I want to say it very clearly: you cannot get influenza from the flu shot.
What can happen is an immune response. After receiving a vaccine, some people may have a sore arm. You may feel tired. You might have a headache, muscle aches, or a slight increase in temperature. Your immune system has been asked to respond to something, and sometimes you can feel that response. That is not the same thing as having influenza. It is also completely normal if you receive your vaccine and feel nothing afterward. Having no noticeable side effects does not mean the vaccine did not work.
Patients also sometimes have concerns about allergies, including egg allergies. There are different types of flu vaccines available today, including vaccines manufactured using different technologies. If you have an allergy, have experienced a previous vaccine reaction, or have any concern about whether a vaccine is appropriate for you, this is exactly the kind of conversation I want you to have with your healthcare provider.
Ask us. That is what we are here for.
What Happens If I Still Get the Flu?
Even when we do everything right, illness can happen.
If you develop symptoms and think you may have influenza, contact your healthcare provider, particularly if you are at increased risk for complications or your symptoms are concerning.
We have antiviral medications, including oseltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu, that can be used to treat influenza. These medications generally provide the greatest benefit when treatment begins early, ideally within the first couple of days after symptoms begin. That is one reason I don’t want patients waiting until they are extremely sick before they call us.
There are also circumstances where antiviral medication may be considered after someone has been exposed to influenza but has not yet developed symptoms. That decision depends on the individual, their exposure, their health history, and their risk.
This is where your provider comes in.
Medicine is rarely about applying exactly the same answer to every person. My job is to look at you, your health, your risks, and your circumstances and help determine what makes sense.
Prevention Doesn’t Stop With the Vaccine
Getting vaccinated is my number one recommendation, but it is not the only thing we can do. Wash your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes. If you are not feeling well and need to be around other people, consider wearing a mask to help reduce the chance of spreading illness.
Give yourself permission to take care of yourself when you are sick. Rest matters. Hydration matters. Nutrition matters. Managing the health conditions you already have matters.
Patients also hear a lot about vitamins, supplements, and products that promise to “boost” the immune system. Some supplements may have a role for certain people, but I always recommend talking with your healthcare provider before adding something new. Something being labeled “natural” does not automatically mean it is necessary, effective, or right for you.
Be Careful Where You Get Your Health Information
We have more health information available to us than ever before. Unfortunately, that also means we have more misinformation available to us than ever before. You can open your phone and within minutes find someone promising a supplement, treatment, diet, or product that claims to prevent illness or fix almost anything.
My advice is simple:
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your provider.
We want our patients to have the best possible health outcomes. We took an oath to do no harm. Your healthcare provider should be someone you can ask questions. You should be able to tell us what you have heard, what you’re worried about, and even why you might be hesitant about something. I would much rather have that conversation with you than have you leave with questions you were afraid to ask.
If You Remember Only Three Things
Flu season can come with a lot of information, but protecting yourself does not need to feel overwhelming.
1. Get your flu shot.
It remains one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself against influenza and reduce your risk of serious illness.
2. Wash your hands.
It is simple, but good hand hygiene remains an important everyday way to help reduce the spread of illness.
3. Call your provider if you’re concerned.
You do not have to determine on your own whether something is “bad enough” to ask about. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, your child, a family member, vaccination, or something you’ve heard about flu prevention, call us.
I tell patients to trust their provider because healthcare should be a relationship. My responsibility is not simply to tell you what to do. It is to help you understand your health, answer your questions, and give you the information you need to make informed decisions.
Flu season comes every year. We cannot prevent every illness or control every exposure, but we can prepare.
Get vaccinated. Take care of yourself and the people around you. And when you have questions, ask.
At MHEDS, we’re here to help you through flu season and beyond, meeting you where you are.
Want to get a head start on your health? Contact MHEDS to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you. Visit our Locations page or call our offices to get started.
Our health information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist the public in learning more about their health. MHEDS’ providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
