Flu season can arrive quickly, especially once schools are back in session, workplaces get busier, and families begin spending more time indoors.
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. For many people, it causes several days of fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and other symptoms. For others, especially people at higher risk of complications, flu can become much more serious.
The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to reduce your risk and help protect the people around you.
Quick answer: The most important ways to prepare for flu season include getting your annual flu vaccine when appropriate, washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, improving indoor air quality, staying home when you are ill, and seeking early medical advice if you are at higher risk of complications.
What Is the Flu?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu symptoms often begin suddenly and may include:
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
Some people may also experience vomiting or diarrhea, although this is more common in children than adults.
Not everyone with flu develops a fever.
When Does Flu Season Usually Happen?
Flu viruses circulate every year, but activity tends to increase during the fall and winter months.
The timing and severity can vary from one season to another, which is why preventive steps are most useful before flu becomes widespread.
For most people who need one flu vaccine dose, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated.
1. Consider Your Annual Flu Vaccine
Vaccination is the most important step you can take to reduce the risk of seasonal influenza and its complications.
Current CDC guidance recommends annual influenza vaccination for most people aged 6 months and older who do not have a medical reason not to receive it.
For the 2026–2027 season, updated flu vaccines are available to protect against influenza viruses expected to circulate this season.
Vaccination can:
- Reduce your risk of getting flu
- Reduce the severity of illness if you do become infected
- Reduce flu-related medical visits
- Reduce the risk of hospitalization and serious complications
People aged 65 and older, pregnant people, young children, and people with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to serious flu complications.
Who Should Talk to a Healthcare Provider Before Vaccination?
Most people can receive a flu vaccine safely, but you should discuss vaccination with your healthcare provider if you:
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous influenza vaccine
- Have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Are currently moderately or severely ill
- Have questions about which vaccine is appropriate for your age or medical history
Your provider can help determine which flu vaccine option is suitable for you.
2. Wash Your Hands Regularly
Flu can spread through respiratory droplets and contaminated hands or surfaces.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially:
- After coughing or sneezing
- Before eating or preparing food
- After caring for someone who is sick
- After handling used tissues
- After being in crowded public spaces
If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be useful.
3. Avoid Touching Your Face
Your eyes, nose, and mouth provide pathways for respiratory viruses to enter the body.
Try to avoid touching your face unnecessarily, particularly when you are away from home or have not recently washed your hands.
4. Cover Coughs and Sneezes
Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of it promptly.
If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands.
Wash or sanitize your hands afterwards.
5. Stay Home When You Are Sick
If you develop flu-like symptoms, staying home when possible helps reduce the risk of spreading the illness to coworkers, classmates, friends, and family.
Rest, hydration, and monitoring your symptoms are important while recovering.
People with severe symptoms or an increased risk of complications should contact a healthcare provider promptly.
6. Improve Indoor Air Quality
Respiratory viruses spread more easily in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation.
Ways to improve indoor air quality may include:
- Opening windows when practical
- Using appropriate air filtration
- Improving ventilation
- Spending time outdoors when possible
- Avoiding overcrowded indoor spaces when illness is spreading
The CDC also recommends cleaner air as one of several strategies for reducing exposure to respiratory viruses.
7. Take Care of Your Overall Health
Your immune system works best when your overall health is supported.
Helpful habits include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying hydrated
- Getting regular physical activity
- Managing stress
- Keeping chronic conditions under control
You can learn more about why sleep is important for your health and how much water you may need each day.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Flu Complications?
Some people are more likely to develop serious complications from influenza.
Higher-risk groups can include:
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Children younger than 5, especially those under 2
- Pregnant people
- People with asthma or chronic lung disease
- People with diabetes
- People with heart disease
- People with weakened immune systems
- People with certain other chronic medical conditions
If you are in a higher-risk group and develop flu symptoms, contact your healthcare provider early.
Can Antiviral Medication Help?
Yes. Prescription antiviral medicines can be used to treat influenza.
According to the CDC, antiviral medicines work best when started within one to two days after symptoms begin, although treatment may still help when started later in people who are very sick, hospitalized, or at higher risk of complications.
Antiviral treatment is particularly important for people who:
- Are hospitalized with flu
- Have severe or worsening illness
- Are at increased risk of serious complications
Antiviral medicines are not the same as antibiotics.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not treat influenza viruses.
Should You Get Tested for Flu?
Not everyone with flu-like symptoms requires testing.
A healthcare provider may recommend testing based on:
- Your symptoms
- How sick you are
- Your medical history
- Your risk of complications
- Whether the result would affect treatment
Because flu symptoms can overlap with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, testing may sometimes help clarify the cause.
Cold, Flu, or COVID-19?
These illnesses can cause similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish them based on symptoms alone.
Flu tends to begin more suddenly and may cause significant body aches, chills, headache, fever, and fatigue.
The common cold is often milder and may be more likely to cause sneezing, congestion, and a gradual onset of symptoms.
COVID-19 symptoms can overlap with both.
If you are unsure, read our guide on cold or flu symptoms and when to see a doctor.
How Long Does Flu Usually Last?
Many people recover from uncomplicated influenza within several days to less than two weeks.
However, cough and fatigue can sometimes last longer.
Some people develop complications such as pneumonia, sinus infections, or worsening of existing medical conditions.
When Should You Contact a Healthcare Provider?
Consider medical advice if:
- Your symptoms are severe or worsening
- You are at higher risk of complications
- You have a chronic medical condition
- You are pregnant
- You have persistent fever
- You are struggling to stay hydrated
- Your symptoms improve and then become worse again
Because antiviral medicines work best when started early, people at higher risk should not wait several days before contacting a healthcare provider.
When Is Flu an Emergency?
Seek emergency medical care immediately for serious warning signs.
In adults, these may include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure
- Persistent dizziness or confusion
- Difficulty waking
- Seizures
- Not urinating
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness
- Symptoms that improve and then suddenly worsen
Children may have different emergency warning signs, including breathing difficulty, bluish lips or face, dehydration, seizures, unusual sleepiness, or severe worsening of symptoms.
Call 911 for a medical emergency.
How Can You Protect Someone at Home Who Is Sick?
If someone in your household has flu-like symptoms:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid close face-to-face contact when possible
- Do not share cups, utensils, or towels
- Clean frequently touched surfaces
- Improve ventilation and indoor air quality
- Dispose of used tissues promptly
- Monitor high-risk family members carefully
Flu Prevention for Families With Children
Children often have close contact with classmates, teachers, sports teams, and family members, which can make respiratory illnesses spread quickly.
Help children build habits such as:
- Washing hands properly
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Avoiding sharing drinks
- Getting adequate sleep
- Staying home when significantly unwell
Back-to-school season is also a useful time to review your child’s health records and vaccination history.
Read our guide to back-to-school physicals in Garland, TX.
Prepare Before You Get Sick
A little preparation can make flu season easier.
Consider:
- Reviewing whether you and your family are due for flu vaccination
- Keeping a thermometer at home
- Making sure regular medications are available
- Keeping basic fluids and easy-to-prepare foods at home
- Knowing how to contact your healthcare provider
- Understanding which symptoms require urgent or emergency care
Flu Season Care in Garland TX
Flu season does not mean everyone will become sick, but preparation matters.
Vaccination when appropriate, good hygiene, cleaner indoor air, healthy lifestyle habits, and early medical advice for high-risk patients can all help reduce the impact of influenza.
At Medicus Health Clinics, we provide appointment-based primary care and sick visits and acute care in Garland, TX for appropriate non-emergency illnesses.
Schedule an appointment: Book an appointment with Medicus Health Clinics.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Call 911 for a medical emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get my flu vaccine?
For most people who need one dose during the season, September and October are generally good months for vaccination. Individual timing may vary based on age, pregnancy, health status, and other circumstances.
Can the flu vaccine give you flu?
No. Flu vaccines do not cause influenza illness. Some people may experience short-term side effects such as soreness, fatigue, or mild fever after vaccination.
Can I still get flu after being vaccinated?
Yes. No vaccine prevents every infection. However, flu vaccination can reduce the risk of illness and may reduce the severity of illness if you become infected.
How quickly should antiviral treatment start?
Flu antiviral medicines generally work best when started within one to two days after symptoms begin. People who are very sick or at higher risk of complications should contact a healthcare provider promptly.
Should I go to urgent care or primary care for flu?
Many uncomplicated flu illnesses can be evaluated in primary care. Urgent care may be appropriate when timely care is needed and your regular provider is unavailable. Severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms require emergency care.