While influenza (the flu) can spread year-round, December marks a spike in many cases of flu across our communities. Flu infections often lead to uncomfortable symptoms that can disrupt your daily routine and keep you from doing important tasks. So, once you’ve been diagnosed with the flu once, are you safe from the illness for the rest of the year? Unfortunately, no, influenza can affect you more than once throughout the year as strains can change quickly.
This blog will explore how you can get the flu more than once and explain some steps toward prevention. Visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for same-day flu shots and flu treatment whenever you need it.
I’ve gotten the flu once– can I get it again?
As the temperatures continue to drop and the risk of contracting illnesses rises, you may be wondering… can you get the flu twice in one year? The simple answer is yes– it is possible to get the flu more than once in a single season. Influenza is a viral infection, meaning the illness mutates quickly into various strains. If you’ve been diagnosed with flu once, you can be diagnosed with flu again by a different strain than before. Being affected by the various strains of flu throughout the year may not be that common, but it can happen to anyone– even healthy children and adults.
Most people who get the flu once will develop antibodies that will protect them from getting it again in one year. However, if you haven’t received your flu shot, you’re inevitably at a higher risk for being infected with influenza. Additionally, if you are in a high-risk group for developing the flu, including those with a weakened immune system or underlying health conditions, then you may be more likely to get the flu twice in one year.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu?
The common symptoms associated with the flu are more severe than the common cold, and can leave you feeling sick for a week or two.
Common symptoms of the flu include:
- Chest congestion
- Sore throat
- Fever and/or chills
- Cough
- Runny / stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
How can I prevent getting the flu at all?
The flu spreads through droplets within the air. When someone is infected with the contagious virus, they can spread it through the germs in their sneeze or cough. This means that influenza can spread when you are in close contact with other sick people. The best way to prevent getting the flu twice in the same season is to get a flu shot at the beginning of the season. This will help your body develop the necessary antibodies to fight off any new strains of the virus that may emerge. Furthermore, to avoid any flu-like symptoms this year you should avoid people who are sick, frequently wash your hands, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and prioritize your health and wellness through proper rest and hydration.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for Flu Treatment
When you’re sick, AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale is there. The walk-in clinic stays open every day of the week, making weekend flu treatment accessible when you need it. Don’t let your symptoms get the best of you this flu season. Getting your flu shot is an important way to avoid illnesses that could spread to the community. We accept a variety of health insurances and offer low costs for our urgent care services. If you have any other questions pertaining to flu treatment, or other urgent care services we provide, you can call us directly at (201) 523-9222.
