Protect the Circle of Life

THE FLU & YOU

What is influenza (the flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza 

viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause 

mild to severe illness. At times, it can lead to death. 

Who should get a flu vaccine?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine, especially 

if you are at high risk for complications, or if you live with or 

care for someone who is high risk for complications.

Your family may be especially vulnerable 

to the flu.

Influenza poses a greater risk to certain people, including 

pregnant women, children, and elders, who are all at high risk 

for flu-related complications. In fact, pneumonia and flu are a 

leading cause of death among Native elders. The flu also can 

cause certain health conditions, including diabetes, asthma, 

and heart and lung disease, to become worse. Pneumonia and 

bronchitis are examples of serious flu-related complications, 

which can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death.

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS 

of the FLU

People sick with influenza feel some 

or all of these symptoms:

•	 Fever* or feeling feverish/

chills

•	 Cough

•	 Sore throat

•	 Runny or stuffy nose

•	 Muscle or body aches

•	 Headaches

•	 Fatigue (very tired)

•	 Some people may have 

vomiting and diarrhea, 

though this is more common 

in children than adults.

*Not everyone with the flu will have a 

fever. You can be sick and contagious 

without running a temperature.

HELP PREVENT the

SPREAD of the FLU

•	 Get a flu vaccine each year.

•	 Stop the spread of germs, 

including influenza viruses:

 Cover your coughs and 

sneezes

 Wash your hands often

 If you’re sick, stay home

•	 Take antiv iral drugs if they 

are prescribed for you.

PROTECT YOURSELF. 

PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE.
The influenza vaccine is safe. 

You can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine.

People have been receiving flu vaccines for more than 50 years. Vaccine 

safety is closely monitored annually by the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration 

(FDA). Hundreds of millions of flu vaccines have been given safely to 

people across the country for decades.

The viruses in the flu shot are killed and the viruses in the nasal 

spray vaccine are weakened, so neither vaccine can cause the flu. A 

flu shot can have mild side effects, such as soreness or swelling where 

the vaccine was received, a mild fever, or aches. Mild side effects of 

the nasal spray can include runny nose, headache, sore throat, and 

cough. Any side effects you experience are not contagious to others 

and should disappear within 2 days.

When should I get a flu vaccine?

It’s difficult to know when flu activity will peak. So vaccination 

before December is best to ensure protection. However, even getting 

vaccinated in December or later can be protective because influenza 

disease can last as late as May. It takes 2 weeks after getting the vaccine 

for your body to develop an immune response against influenza.

Why do I need to get a flu vaccine each year?

You need a flu vaccine each year because influenza viruses are always 

changing and immunity wanes over time. Each year, experts identify 

the influenza viruses that are the most likely to cause illness during 

the upcoming flu season. Your flu vaccine protects against those 

viruses. It does not protect against other viruses (such as colds or 

stomach viruses) or against very different influenza viruses not in 

the vaccine.

WHERE DO I GET A 

FLU VACCINE 

•	 Your local healthcare facility 

(even if you don’t have a 

regular doctor or nurse)

•	 Mobile and community-based 

immunization clinics that 

visit many locations

•	 Pharmacies and grocer y 

stores where available

Ask your Community Health 

Representative (CHR) or 

Community Health Aide (CHA) 

for more information.

Local Information

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING 

INDIAN COUNTRY HEALTHY

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/flu

or call 1-800-CDC-INFO