Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially those at high risk of flu complications, such as young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions.
Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Children 6 months – 18 years
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will be hosting free flu and covid vaccine clinics for children ages six months – 18 years. These clinics are being scheduled in lieu of the onsite school-based flu vaccine clinics normally provided by SMCHD with the St. Mary’s County Public Schools. No appointments are necessary.
- Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub (drive-thru)
- Friday, October 27, 2023 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub (drive-thru)
- Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall Library
- Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Spring Ridge Middle School School-Based Health Center
- Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Margaret Brent Middle School School-Based Health Center
Prevent the Flu
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits can also help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.
Health Habits to Protect Yourself & Others:
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Flu Symptoms
The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea – this is more common in children than adults
Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people may develop complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections as a result of the flu. Some of these complications can be life-threatening.
Flu Treatment
If you get the flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and you get flu symptoms – the benefit of antiviral treatment is greatest if treatment is started within 2 days after illness onset. Antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They can also prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay.
Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, you should stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, without the use of fever-reducing medicine. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a face mask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.