The flu and you: What you need to know

The flu, also known as influenza, is a disease that can spread easily from one person to another and cause body aches, fever, cough and other symptoms.

Anyone can get the flu. But people 65 and older and those with long-term illnesses or weak immune systems are the most at risk for serious complications from the flu.

The flu can be mild to serious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with the flu. People 65 and older are more prone to a hospitalization. For more information on the impact of the flu, visit CDC.gov opens in a new tab.

Flu viruses are spread when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. If you are nearby, you can be infected by the mouth, eyes, nose or by breathing the virus into your lungs. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose. According to the CDC, most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.

The flu vaccine has noninfectious killed viruses in it and cannot cause the flu. That means you can’t get the flu from a flu shot.

A yearly flu shot is one of the best ways to lower your chances of getting the flu. It’s important to get your flu shot early before it starts spreading in your community.

Get it as early as possible, starting around October. Getting your flu shot early may help protect the people around you from getting sick. That means your flu shot helps you and your friends, family, neighbors and community.

It is still OK to get a flu shot after the fall, like in January or as late as spring (April – May). 

Talk with your doctor about getting your yearly flu shot. You can also get a flu shot from a participating pharmacy in your area. Call the pharmacy for information on dates and times and bring your member ID card.

Don’t be in close contact with sick people. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth. And clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may have germs on them.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.

Learn about UnitedHealthcare's coverage related to COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines at uhccp.com opens in a new tab.

The CDC originally recommended spacing out other vaccines at least 2 weeks before or after a COVID-19 shot. But, as of June 2021, the CDC says that COVID-19 vaccines can now be given without regard to timing of other vaccines. Everyone’s situation is different, so it still makes sense to talk to your doctor about what vaccines you may need and how far apart to space them. That can help you make sure you’re protected. It may also help reduce or manage possible side effects.