You’ve probably heard someone say they caught the “flu bug.” But not all illnesses are the same, and influenza is very different from something like a stomach bug. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses, and it can hit harder than people expect.
One of the challenges is that a lot of common illnesses share similar symptoms. Fever, fatigue, cough, body aches; it can be tough to tell what’s causing them based on how you feel alone. That’s part of why healthcare providers continue to emphasize prevention and knowing when to seek care.
“There’s been a lot of focus by healthcare providers and healthcare organizations to do whatever we can do to keep people as healthy as possible during the influenza season,” states Dr. Pete Mikkelsen, Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Employee Health at Pullman Regional Hospital.
One of the simplest ways to do that is by getting a flu shot. It’s not just about protecting yourself, it’s also about helping protect the people around you, especially those who may be more vulnerable to complications.
Does the Flu Vaccine Give You the Flu?
One common myth surrounding the flu vaccine is that it gives you the flu. This is false, says Dr. Mikkelsen. It is an inactivated vaccine, meaning there is no “live” virus that can infect a person with influenza. However, he also doesn’t want to minimize the way people may feel after receiving the vaccine.
“We think that sometimes the timing is just bad. You get the shot and then experience particular symptoms, but it’s not from the shot,” avers Dr. Mikkelsen.
In fact, research has investigated the difference between a saline shot and an influenza shot, and the only difference between the two was that individuals reported their arm to be slightly sorer with the flu vaccine. “I think for a lot of folks, that’s probably not enough of a reason to not get the flu shot,” Dr. Mikkelsen adds.
Preventative Measures to Take Against the Flu
The flu vaccine is certainly a preventative priority, but there are other actions people can take to protect themselves.
Wearing face coverings, proper hand-washing, avoiding sick people, and abstaining from large gatherings are all effective in warding off influenza infection. Doing your best to stay generally healthy—eating well, exercising, hydration, sleep—is also key.
What to Do If You Think You’re Sick
Influenza is a respiratory virus, so symptoms overlap with other common sicknesses. It can be very difficult, if not impossible, to discriminate between the something like influenza and COVID based on your symptoms or even upon a doctor’s examination.
If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t wait to get care. Reach out to your primary care clinic. Getting evaluated can help you understand what you’re dealing with, take the right steps toward recovery, and avoid spreading illness to others. It also ensures you don’t miss the window for treatments that may help, especially if it is influenza.
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