As the seasons change and back-to-school season begins, you may find yourself reaching for tissues and fighting illness symptoms. There are many different illnesses that can circulate around during the fall months. One very common illness associated with the fall season is the flu, which is a viral infection that can sometimes cause severe illness. If you’re worried about getting sick this fall season, you’re not alone. Keep reading to learn more about how the flu spreads so that you can protect yourself from the flu this fall. For same-day illness diagnosis, simply walk into AFC Urgent Care Bedford. Our walk-in clinic offers same-day care 7 days a week from 8am-8pm!
How Do You Contract the Flu?
The flu is an upper respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. It mainly impacts your lungs and airway. Viruses such as the influenza virus are dangerous because they spread very easily from person to person. There are three major ways that you can contract the flu:
- Touching the same surface as someone who has the flu (within 24 hours)
- Breathing in airborne particles from a sick person coughing or sneezing
- Touching someone who is sick
The influenza virus needs to reach your respiratory system in order to infect you. That means that if you touch someone who is sick, then touch your face, you greatly increase your chance of contracting the flu. Touching your face gives the virus a chance to spread into your respiratory system through your nose and mouth.
Common Symptoms of the Flu
During the fall season, the flu is heavily discussed as a severe threat. However, there are many other illnesses that circulate during the fall season. This is because we tend to spend more time indoors once the weather cools down, which increases our close contact with others. This can cause illnesses to spread quickly from person to person. Flu symptoms typically start out as very mild and can even be similar to cold symptoms. However, over the course of a few days, flu symptoms will gradually become more severe and symptoms can last up to a week.
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Chills
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Runny nose
Flu Diagnosis & Treatment near Bedford, MA
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of the flu mentioned earlier, it is important to seek medical care. The flu is very contagious, so if you have the flu it is important to self-isolate until your symptoms go away. There is no medication to treat the flu. Instead, your body will fight off the infection on its own. However certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing severe illness or complications from the flu. This includes the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and anyone with underlying heart or lung conditions. Your medical provider will be able to provide the necessary support for the flu.
It is important to get your annual flu vaccine to help prevent a severe case of the flu. The flu vaccine introduces your body to the influenza virus, allowing it to build up a defense to fight off the virus if you were to come into contact with it during flu season. Every year, the influenza virus mutates meaning that your body has to build up a new line of defense against the virus. Getting your flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from the flu.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Bedford for Same-Day Flu Shots Available Without an Appointment
At AFC Urgent Care Bedford, we suggest that every patient over the age of 6 months receives the flu vaccine. That is why we offer flu shots to patients of all ages at our walk-in clinic 7 days a week. Our medical providers are board-certified and able to provide support for any flu-like symptoms, in addition to providing flu shots on a walk-in basis during flu season. We maintain short wait times and are open every day from 8am-8pm. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
