Get a flu shot this fall

Keep you and your community healthy

Fall weather brings us indoors and closer together. While we start to think about cold-weather activities and future holiday plans, don’t forget to add your annual flu shot to your fall check list. Getting your flu shot can help you keep yourself and your family healthy this fall and winter.

Staying healthy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these simple steps for staying healthy during flu season:

• Don’t get too close to others who are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available)
• Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home when you feel sick
• Use sanitizing wipes on shared surfaces
• Cover your nose and mouth by coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue

Flu symptoms

The CDC lists these symptoms for the flu:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headaches
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

If you have any combination of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatment options. If you don’t have a doctor, you can find one using our Find Care tool on the member portal or member app. Log in to your account on our member website or app and then select Find Care. From there, you can search for doctors by location, specialty and more. Make sure you are logged in to see doctors in your network.

Get your flu shot

You can get a flu shot at little or no cost to you when you go to an in-network doctor or pharmacy. Get your flu shot – it can help you avoid getting the flu or reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get it. By getting vaccinated, you can help keep your community healthy.

 

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Posted: September 26, 2024