Flu and other respiratory viruses
Vaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect yourself and your family.
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Vaccines are one of the most important ways to help protect yourself and your family.
Influenza, more commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
The best way to prevent getting the flu is to get your annual flu shot. In addition to getting vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these 5 tips to avoid the flu and other respiratory viruses:
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer to reduce germs. Disinfect high-traffic areas at home and at work, like doorknobs and keyboards.
One way people catch germs is by touching a germy area and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Limit touching your face, especially while in public.
Flu viruses can be spread up to 6 feet when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks. Keep your distance if someone has a respiratory illness.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. If you don’t have one handy, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow instead of your hands.
You’re more likely to get sick if you have a weak immune system. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, eating healthy foods, and staying active are a few ways to keep your body strong enough to fight off infection.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Most Florida Blue members can get a flu shot and other preventive vaccines at no extra cost when they go to an in-network doctor or pharmacy.
Book an appointment to get your shots with the Florida Blue online scheduler. Seach “Vaccinations with Walgreens.”
You can’t get the flu from the flu shot. The injected flu vaccine doesn’t have any living virus and cannot cause the flu. Watch this video to learn more.
Your health care provider may recommend waiting until October to get your flu shot to be sure that protection lasts through the height of flu season (December, January, February). It will take two weeks for the vaccine to reach full effectiveness.
A flu shot is especially important for high-risk groups, including older adults, children, and pregnant women.
A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and others from serious illness. The flu can make you sick for days or weeks, potentially landing you in the hospital or causing you to miss work or important life events. Watch this video to learn more.
If you are over 65 you will get a high-dose flu shot. Watch this video to hear from a doctor why the flu shot is so important for you.
The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against COVID-19 this fall and winter whether or not they have ever previously been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes! And the CDC recommends getting both the flu shot and COVID-19 booster to protect yourself and others. If you get both vaccines at the same time they will be given in different arms. There is not currently a combination vaccine for both flu and COVID-19 but studies continue to be promising for future release.
Respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages.
Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two, but sometimes more serious symptoms can happen, which can cause shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. RSV can also lead to worsening of other medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure.
Yes, there are different preventive options available, according to the CDC:
This helpful infographic from the CDC can help guide you.