How to help prevent the flu
The best way to help prevent the flu is to get vaccinated annually.4 The flu vaccine may reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits and missed work and school due to the flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.5 After you get your flu shot or nasal spray vaccine, continue to take steps to protect yourself and others from the flu, such as:5
- Staying away from people who are sick
- Staying home from work and social activities if you are ill
- Washing your hands with soap — including the backs of your hands, under your nails and between your fingers — for at least 20 seconds
- Eating healthier, exercising, getting adequate sleep and managing your stress levels
Frequently asked questions about flu vaccines
Flu vaccine basics
If you have a UnitedHealthcare health plan, you can get a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine at more than 50,000 locations, including the following retail pharmacies and clinics.
- Albertsons® Companies
Including Acme Sav-on, Albertsons Osco, Albertsons Sav-on, Haggen, Jewel-Osco, Star Markets, Shaws Osco and Safeway - Costco Pharmacy
- Harris Teeter
- H-E-B
- Hy-Vee
- The Kroger Co.
Including Smith’s, Ralphs, Roundy’s, Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market, Mariano’s, Fred Meyer, QFC, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Baker’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Stores, Owen’s and Pay Less
- The Little Clinic
- Meijer
- MinuteClinic
- Safeway® Stores
Including Carrs, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, and Vons - United Supermarkets®
Including Albertsons Market, Amigos and Market Street - Walgreens®
Including Duane Reade, Jim Myers, Kerr Drug, May’s Drug, Parhway Drug and Super D - Walmart Inc. And Sam’s Club®
Talk with your health care provider, sign in to your member account or enter your zip code to find a flu shot location near you.
It takes about 2 weeks after receiving a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine to build the antibodies that protect you from the flu virus.
The flu vaccine offers people immunity protection only for a period of time. Since the protection lessens over time, a yearly vaccine adds the protection boost needed for each flu season.1
Also, flu viruses are constantly changing. To keep up with these changes, flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next. That way, the vaccine may help protect against the viruses that may be most common during the upcoming flu season.1
If you have a cold or mild illness, you can usually still get a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine. If you are moderately or severely ill, you should usually wait until you’re feeling better.6
Common questions and concerns about the flu
There are tests available to diagnose the flu. The most common tests are the "rapid influenza diagnostic tests." These tests can provide results in 10–20 minutes. The ability of these tests to detect the flu can vary greatly and may be better at detecting the flu in children than in adults. Most people with flu symptoms do not require testing because the test results usually do not change how you are treated. Your health care provider may diagnose you with the flu based on your symptoms, and their clinical judgment, or they may choose to use an influenza diagnostic test.7
Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get sick with the flu. However, several studies have shown that getting the flu shot may help reduce the severity of illness if you do become sick. Here are a few possible reasons you might still get the flu after having a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine:1
- If you were exposed to a flu virus before getting vaccinated or before the 2 weeks required for vaccination to take effect
- Some flu viruses are not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. Since there are many different flu viruses that circulate every year, the vaccine may not protect you from all of them.
- In some cases, people do get infected, even with the flu shot. It can depend on your overall health, as people who are healthier may gain more immunity from the vaccine.
- Some older adults and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after their vaccine
In any case, the flu shot is still one of the best ways to help protect yourself against flu viruses.1
This is a popular myth, but a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness.8 The viruses in a flu shot are not alive and the viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened, so you cannot get flu from either.1
The most common flu shot reaction in adults may be soreness, redness or swelling at the spot where the shot was given. This usually lasts less than two days. This initial soreness is most likely the result of the body’s early immune response. Other reactions following the flu shot may be mild and can include a low-grade fever and aches. Common nasal spray flu vaccine side-effects may include runny nose, headache, sore throat and cough. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after the vaccine and last 1–2 days.1
No, antibiotics do not help treat the flu. Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. The flu is a viral infection.
Flu can be treated using antiviral drugs, which are prescription medications. Antiviral drugs are typically used if you have flu symptoms and are at high risk of serious flu complications.9 Antiviral drugs can:
- Lessen symptoms of the flu
- Shorten the time you’re sick by 1 or 2 days
- Help prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia