AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Flu—Get the Shot Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu. Flu—the short name for influenza—is caused by viruses. Viruses are very small germs. Some viruses can spread easily from one person to another. They cause illnesses or infections like the flu. 

For some people, flu is a mild 

illness. For older people, especially those who have health problems like diabetes or heart disease, the flu can be very serious. How Serious Is Flu?Most people who get the flu feel much better in a week or two. But, some people can get very sick. For example, because your body is busy fighting off the flu, you might 

pick up a second infection. Older people are at great risk of these secondary infections, such as pneumonia. How Does Flu Spread?It was mid-November, and Ellen had not gotten a flu shot. One day she was out having lunch with a friend and noticed people sneezing and coughing at the next table. Two days later, Ellen woke up feeling achy and had a fever. She had the flu. Her husband Jack took care of her and was careful to wash his hands after touching Ellen’s dishes. But, a few days later he too was sick. Maybe he used the phone just after Ellen finished talking with their son. Or, maybe he touched a doorknob Ellen used after sneezing. Flu spreads easily from one person to another.

The flu is contagious—that 

means it spreads from person to person, often through the air. You can pass on the infection before you feel sick. You are contagious for several days after you get sick. You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes. Or, if you touch something the virus is on, like Ellen and Jack’s phone or doorknob, and then touch your nose or mouth

you could ccan live on doorknob Remember when you ais sick. Makbefore eatinose, or mfrom sick pthe flu from Is It the It’s easy to with the flu

SymptFever HeadachGeneral aTirednessExtreme Stuffy noSneezing Sore throChest dis 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Flu—Get the Shot Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu. Flu—the short name for influenza—is caused by viruses. Viruses are very small germs. Some viruses can spread easily from one person to another. They cause illnesses or infections like the flu. 

For some people, flu is a mild 

illness. For older people, especially those who have health problems like diabetes or heart disease, the flu can be very serious. How Serious Is Flu?Most people who get the flu feel much better in a week or two. But, some people can get very sick. For example, because your body is busy fighting off the flu, you might 

pick up a second infection. Older people are at great risk of these secondary infections, such as pneumonia. How Does Flu Spread?It was mid-November, and Ellen had not gotten a flu shot. One day she was out having lunch with a friend and noticed people sneezing and coughing at the next table. Two days later, Ellen woke up feeling achy and had a fever. She had the flu. Her husband Jack took care of her and was careful to wash his hands after touching Ellen’s dishes. But, a few days later he too was sick. Maybe he used the phone just after Ellen finished talking with their son. Or, maybe he touched a doorknob Ellen used after sneezing. Flu spreads easily from one person to another.

The flu is contagious—that 

means it spreads from person to person, often through the air. You can pass on the infection before you feel sick. You are contagious for several days after you get sick. You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes. Or, if you touch something the virus is on, like Ellen and Jack’s phone or doorknob, and then touch your nose or mouth, 

you could ccan live on doorknob Remember when you ais sick. Makbefore eatinose, or mfrom sick pthe flu from Is It the It’s easy to with the flu

SymptFever HeadachGeneral aTirednessExtreme Stuffy noSneezing Sore throChest dis 
AgePage

National Institute on Aging

Flu—Get the Shot Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu. Flu—the short name for influenza—is caused by viruses. Viruses are very small germs. Some viruses can spread easily from one person to another. They cause illnesses or infections like the flu. 

For some people, flu is a mild 

illness. For older people, especially those who have health problems like diabetes or heart disease, the flu can be very serious. How Serious Is Flu?Most people who get the flu feel much better in a week or two. But, some people can get very sick. For example, because your body is busy fighting off the flu, you might 

pick up a second infection. Older people are at great risk of these secondary infections, such as pneumonia. How Does Flu Spread?It was mid-November, and Ellen had not gotten a flu shot. One day she was out having lunch with a friend and noticed people sneezing and coughing at the next table. Two days later, Ellen woke up feeling achy and had a fever. She had the flu. Her husband Jack took care of her and was careful to wash his hands after touching Ellen’s dishes. But, a few days later he too was sick. Maybe he used the phone just after Ellen finished talking with their son. Or, maybe he touched a doorknob Ellen used after sneezing. Flu spreads easily from one person to another.

The flu is contagious—that 

means it spreads from person to person, often through the air. You can pass on the infection before you feel sick. You are contagious for several days after you get sick. You can catch the flu when someone near you coughs or sneezes. Or, if you touch something the virus is on, like Ellen and Jack’s phone or doorknob, and then touch your nose or mouth

you could ccan live on doorknob Remember when you ais sick. Makbefore eatinose, or mfrom sick pthe flu from Is It the It’s easy to with the flu

SymptFever HeadachGeneral aTirednessExtreme Stuffy noSneezing Sore throChest dis 
her if you are taking drugs to fight cancer or other medicines that make it hard for your body to fight illness. There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the flu. If you take them within 48 hours after the flu begins, these drugs can make you feel better more quickly. Antibiotics do not help you get over the flu. They are sometimes prescribed to help you get over a secondary infection if it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.

Antivira

vent flu. If flu outbreawith your dcould prescthat might Prevention choice for is a flu sho

If you a

and drink and water bsuch as aspbring down help with timportant with the fluthat can inyour nasal are also boeasy as muare well.What AbSometimes of flu virus heard abouThis flu is changes in to serious iis some go

Are There Side Effects?Most people have no problem with a flu shot. In fact, for most people, the flu is more dangerous than the flu shot. 

When you get the flu shot, your 

arm might be sore, red, or swell a bit. These side effects may start shortly after getting the shot and can last up to 2 days. They should not get in the way of your daily activities. A few people do have a headache or a low-grade fever for about a day after they get the shot. The flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu. 

If you are allergic to eggs, you 

should not get the flu shot. Because 

eggs are used to make the flu 

vaccine, people who are allergic to eggs could have a serious reaction to the shot.

What Can I Do if I’m Sick?If you get the flu, there are things you can do to feel better. First, call your doctor to see if there are medicines that can help

Remind him or 

It is important to check with your doctor when you first get the flu. Also, call your doctor if:) your fever goes away and then 

comes back; you may have a more dangerous infection.

) you start having breathing or 

heart problems or other serious health problems.

) you feel sick and don’t seem to 

be getting better.

) you have a cough that begins 

to make thick mucus.
her if you are taking drugs to fight cancer or other medicines that make it hard for your body to fight illness. There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the flu. If you take them within 48 hours after the flu begins, these drugs can make you feel better more quickly. Antibiotics do not help you get over the flu. They are sometimes prescribed to help you get over a secondary infection if it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.

Antivira

vent flu. If flu outbreawith your dcould prescthat might Prevention choice for is a flu sho

If you a

and drink and water bsuch as aspbring down help with timportant with the fluthat can inyour nasal are also boeasy as muare well.What AbSometimes of flu virus heard abouThis flu is changes in to serious iis some go

Are There Side Effects?Most people have no problem with a flu shot. In fact, for most people, the flu is more dangerous than the flu shot. 

When you get the flu shot, your 

arm might be sore, red, or swell a bit. These side effects may start shortly after getting the shot and can last up to 2 days. They should not get in the way of your daily activities. A few people do have a headache or a low-grade fever for about a day after they get the shot. The flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu. 

If you are allergic to eggs, you 

should not get the flu shot. Because 

eggs are used to make the flu 

vaccine, people who are allergic to eggs could have a serious reaction to the shot.

What Can I Do if I’m Sick?If you get the flu, there are things you can do to feel better. First, call your doctor to see if there are medi

It is important to check with your doctor when you first get the flu. Also, call your doctor if:) your fever goes away and then 

comes back; you may have a more dangerous infection.

) you start having breathing or 

heart problems or other serious health problems.

) you feel sick and don’t seem to 

be getting better.

) you have a cough that begins 

to make thick mucus
her if you are taking drugs to fight cancer or other medicines that make it hard for your body to fight illness. There are prescription drugs, called antivirals, that are used to treat people with the flu. If you take them within 48 hours after the flu begins, these drugs can make you feel better more quickly. Antibiotics do not help you get over the flu. They are sometimes prescribed to help you get over a secondary infection if it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria are a different type of germ than viruses.

Antivira

vent flu. If flu outbreawith your dcould prescthat might Prevention choice for is a flu sho

If you a

and drink and water bsuch as aspbring down help with timportant with the fluthat can inyour nasal are also boeasy as muare well.What AbSometimes of flu virus heard abouThis flu is changes in to serious iis some go

Are There Side Effects?Most people have no problem with a flu shot. In fact, for most people, the flu is more dangerous than the flu shot. 

When you get the flu shot, your 

arm might be sore, red, or swell a bit. These side effects may start shortly after getting the shot and can last up to 2 days. They should not get in the way of your daily activities. A few people do have a headache or a low-grade fever for about a day after they get the shot. The flu shot cannot cause you to get the flu. 

If you are allergic to eggs, you 

should not get the flu shot. Because 

eggs are used to make the flu 

vaccine, people who are allergic to eggs could have a serious reaction to the shot.

What Can I Do if I’m Sick?If you get the flu, there are things you can do to feel better. First, call your doctor to see if there are medicines that can help

Remind him or 

It is important to check with your doctor when you first get the flu. Also, call your doctor if:) your fever goes away and then 

comes back; you may have a more dangerous infection.

) you start having breathing or 

heart problems or other serious health problems.

) you feel sick and don’t seem to 

be getting better.

) you have a cough that begins 

to make thick mucus.