The Flu Shot

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications in young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. Getting a flu shot, though not 100% effective, is the best preventive option.

New flu shots are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses. A flu shot will often protect against three or four of the influenza viruses possibly in circulation each year. It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, but you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after the flu season starts. It’s usually best for people in the United States to get their flu vaccine by the end of October.

Can the flu shot give me the flu?
No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. You may still develop flu-like symptoms for a variety of reasons:

• Reaction to the shot. Muscle aches and fever a day or two after receiving the shot are common as your body builds up protective antibodies.
• Two-week window. It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to take full effect. If you’re exposed to the influenza virus shortly before or during that time period, you might catch the flu.
• Other illnesses. Many other illnesses, such as the common cold, also produce flu-like symptoms. So you may think you have the flu when you actually don’t.

If you aren’t feeling well and don’t want to visit a doctor’s office, log on to Teladoc. It’s fast and convenient to get started. How much will it cost you to get a flu shot? Click here to learn (here’s a hint: it’s not much).