Flu (Influenza)

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Care & Treatment

Prevention

Different flu viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses spread in communities during flu season.

Getting a flu shot every year protects you

  • You are less likely to get the flu
  • You are less likely to become very sick if you do get the flu

Everyone should get a flu shot each year, especially:

  • People aged 65 and older
  • Nursing home or long-term care residents
  • People with serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, lung disease, or HIV

Fall is the best time to get a flu shot because flu is most common in the fall and winter. If you did not get your shot in the fall, you can—and should—get one later in the season.

Which flu shot should I get?

People age 65 and older should receive one of the higher-dose or stronger flu vaccines, such as Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad, or Flublok. If one of these is not available, getting a regular flu shot is still helpful and recommended.

You should not get a flu shot if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past or if you were diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome within 6 weeks after a previous flu shot.

Medicare covers the cost of flu shots. Medicaid and most private health insurance plans also cover the cost.

Prescription Treatment

Antiviral medications may be used to treat the flu. These medicines work best when started within the first 24 to 48 hours after symptoms begin.

Antiviral medications can make symptoms milder and may shorten how long you are sick. They can also help prevent some serious flu-related complications.

Protect Others

If you have the flu, stay home and avoid contact with other people, except when you need medical care. Stay away from others as much as possible to avoid spreading the flu to them.

 

Last Updated April 2026

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