Flu season is right around the corner, and as we move into fall, more people start getting sick with things like the flu or the common cold. It’s important to know how to stay healthy—and how to tell the difference between the two.
The annual flu vaccine is truly the best form of protection to help prevent the spread of the flu. Even if you do get the flu after being vaccinated, your symptoms will be lessened. Flu vaccines are available to the community.
Almost everyone should get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza.
Different flu shots are approved for people of different ages, but there are flu shots that are approved for use in people as young as 6 months.
Flu shots are also approved for use in pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions.
Vaccine Appointments
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The flu and the common cold have similar symptoms and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Your healthcare provider can give you a test within the first few days of your illness to determine whether or not you have the flu.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold. Symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue and cough are more common and intense with the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
Flu symptoms include:
A 100 degree or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
A cough and/or sore throat
A runny or stuffy nose
Headaches and/or body aches
Chills
Fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
Can Handwashing Help Prevent the Flu?
Yes — getting a flu shot every year is still the best way to protect yourself. But healthy habits can also help stop the spread of germs and lower your risk of getting sick with the flu or a cold.
How to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Lather by rubbing your hands together — don’t forget:
The backs of your hands
Between your fingers
Under your nails
Scrub for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer?
Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse well with clean water.
Dry with a clean towel or let them air dry.
💡 No soap and water? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Other Good Health Habits
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, it's not just pumpkin spice lattes that should be on your mind – it's also time to think about your health. Flu season is here, and we at Renown Health encourage you to do your part in keeping your community safe. How can you protect everyone around you? Through something called herd immunity.
Flu shots don’t just protect those who get vaccinated; they guard everyone, including your family and the community. Renown Health experts help us understand why everyone should get a flu shot, including children, pregnant women and older adults.
In 2024, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
