What should you know about flu?
How to recognize flu, avoid getting it, and prevent spreading it.
What is flu and what’s it to you?
Influenza, flu for short, is a serious and contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Flu mainly spreads via tiny droplets made through coughing, sneezing, or talking. These droplets can travel about six feet and can land in the mouths or noses of others nearby. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, sometimes leading to pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, and even death.
In the 2023–2024 season, flu has resulted in*:
*According to preliminary estimates of flu burden in the 2023-2024 season.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk of catching the flu, but those with a higher risk of developing severe flu-related complications are the elderly, young children, and those with certain health conditions.
What are ways to prevent flu from spreading?
Everyone should do what they can to help reduce the spread of flu, such as cleaning surfaces, coughing and sneezing into tissues, staying home while feeling sick, and most importantly, getting vaccinated.
Why get vaccinated?
- Even healthy people can catch and spread flu
- Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent flu
- Getting vaccinated can help prevent hospitalization or death caused by flu
- The CDC recommends getting vaccinated yearly for the best protection
When is flu season?
Flu season can be unpredictable and likes to keep us on our toes.
It usually starts in early fall, around October, and continues into spring; however, it has lasted into May during some particularly stubborn years. The months of December through March are considered peak flu season and when most people get it—but you should be aware that people can catch flu year-round.
Children and adults should get vaccinated by the end of October.
The CDC recommends scheduling your yearly flu vaccine in early fall, prior to flu season. Even if you’re not able to get vaccinated until November or later, it is still recommended because flu commonly peaks in February and can continue into May.
Getting mixed signals from your symptoms?
Flu, COVID-19, colds, and allergies can look similar, but there are ways to tell them apart.
Swipe to view more
| Symptom | Flu | COVID-19† |
Cold | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fever | Usual, high (100°F -102°F), sometimes higher (especially in young children); lasts 3-4 days | Common | Rare | Never |
| Headache | Common | Common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| General aches, pains | Usual often severe | Common | Slight | Never |
| Fatigue, weakness | Usual can last up to 3 weeks | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Extreme exhaustion | Usual at beginning of illness | Common | Never | Never |
| Stuffy, runny nose | Sometimes | Common | Common | Common |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Rare | Usual | Usual |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Common can become severe | Common | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort | Common | Common may lead to trouble breathing or persistent pain/pressure in chest that would require immediate emergency care | Mild to moderate | Rare except for those with allergic asthma |
†A person may experience flu symptoms 1-4 days after infection, whereas COVID-19 symptoms may be experienced 2-14 days after infection.
This table is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have any of the flu symptoms shown here, stay home and call your doctor.
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Important Safety Information
- You should not get FLUMIST if you have a severe allergy to its components, eggs or other flu vaccines; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin - children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise
- Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FLUMIST
- Before getting FLUMIST, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing and are under 5 years of age; have asthma; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness); have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza
- FLUMIST may cause rare but serious side effects including allergic reactions. Seek medical help right away if you experience any allergic reactions, including: hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat; throat tightness or trouble breathing
- The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100 °F
Approved Use
FLUMIST is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza in people ages 2 through 49 years. FLUMIST may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.
You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products 
.
Important Safety Information
- You should not get FLUMIST if you have a severe allergy to its components, eggs or other flu vaccines; or are 2 through 17 years old and take aspirin or medicines containing aspirin - children or adolescents should not be given aspirin for 4 weeks after getting FLUMIST unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise
- Children under 2 years old have an increased risk of wheezing (difficulty with breathing) after getting FLUMIST
- Before getting FLUMIST, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: are currently wheezing; have a history of wheezing and are under 5 years of age; have asthma; have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness); have a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system; have problems with your heart, kidneys, or lungs; have diabetes; are pregnant or nursing; or are taking antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza
- FLUMIST may cause rare but serious side effects including allergic reactions. Seek medical help right away if you experience any allergic reactions, including: hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue or throat; throat tightness or trouble breathing
- The most common side effects are runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fever over 100 °F
Approved Use
FLUMIST is a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose to help protect against influenza in people ages 2 through 49 years. FLUMIST may not prevent influenza in everyone who gets vaccinated.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.
You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products .