It’s not just a bad cold: Why flu prevention matters.
Wondering if it’s the flu, a bad cold, or allergies?
When it’s the flu, it tends to hit hard and fast—making a dramatic entrance. (There’s a reason some people describe it as feeling “like you’re hit by a truck.”)1
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common flu symptoms can include chills, body aches, headache, fatigue, cough, and sore throat. A cold, on the other hand, often slowly creeps in—with milder symptoms.2 And if you’re dealing with sneezing, a runny nose, and watery or itchy eyes, allergies may be to blame.3
The bad news: The flu doesn’t discriminate, regardless of age or health status, and it can turn deadly. You don’t have to be old, sick, or immunocompromised. “Any flu infection can carry a risk of serious complications, hospitalization or death, even among otherwise healthy children and adults,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes.4
The good news: There are steps you can take to minimize risk.
But first, a refresher
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Different flu strains circulate each year, which is why the flu can look a little different from season to season.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a seasonal flu vaccine helps reduce your chances of getting seriously sick from the flu. It isn’t guaranteed to prevent every case, but it can help protect against severe complications, particularly for people at higher risk.5 The individuals at high risk for flu complications include young children (particularly those younger than 2), adults age 65 and up, pregnant people, and those with certain chronic health conditions, like asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, and weakened immune systems.6
Know when the flue is a medical emergency
Most people recover from the flu at home with rest, fluids, and time. But some symptoms can signal a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care or call 911 if you experience:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- Severe dehydration (not urinating)
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Fever with a stiff neck or severe headache
- Feeling very sleepy, dizzy, weak, or unsteady
- Severe muscle pain
Flu in children: When to call
Call 911 right away if your child is having severe difficulty breathing. Watch for signs such as the chest sinking in when breathing, using belly muscles to breathe, or flaring nostrils while trying to get air.
Call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical care if your child:
- Has a fever along with a stiff neck or severe headache
- Seems confused, doesn’t know where they are, or is unusually sleepy or hard to wake
- Has trouble breathing, is breathing very quickly, or has a persistent cough
- Has a high fever of 102°F or higher
- Shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, a dry mouth, few or no tears when crying, or little to no urination for six hours
Keep a close eye on symptoms and be prepared to call if your child:
- Develops new symptoms, such as a rash, earache, or sore throat
- Fails to keep down fluids or medication
- Has side effects or problems related to a medication
- Isn’t improving as expected
Steps to help lower your risk
Besides staying up to date on flu shots, you can take other steps to help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses:7
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- Stay home when you’re sick and prioritize rest—limit contact with others
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (or use the inside of your elbow if there aren’t tissues nearby)
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Stay hydrated
- Don’t share personal items
Hit me with your best (flu) shot
A yearly flu shot is one of the best ways to help protect yourself and others from the flu (between 20 and 30 percent of people carry the flu with no symptoms).
But misinformation and common vaccine myths can sometimes stand in the way of people getting the protection they need.8
Flu vaccines have a long track record of safety, backed by decades of research. Some people experience mild side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, muscle aches, a low-grade fever, or nausea.
According to the CDC, flu-related hospitalizations range from 140,000 to 710,000 people in a typical U.S. flu season.
Even if you get the flu after being vaccinated, you're more likely to have a milder illness and less likely to develop serious complications. Health organizations globally, including the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend a yearly flu vaccination as an important way to help prevent severe illness and protect vulnerable populations.
To find flu shot locations, check the Surest app or website. The flu shot is offered at a $0 copay when part of an in-network preventive care visit.
© 2016-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
1“Flu activity is high and expected to remain so for several weeks,” NBC News, Jan. 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/flu-activity-high-expected-remain-several-weeks-cdc-says-rcna187000
2“Signs and symptoms of flu,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed Sept. 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
3“Hay Fever (Rhinitis),” American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, accessed Sept. 2026. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/hay-fever/
4“Signs and symptoms of flu,” U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed Sept. 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
5“Influenza symptoms and causes,” Mayo Clinic, Aug. 29, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719
6“People at Increased Risk for Flu Complications,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024.
7“People at Increased Risk for Flu Complications,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2024.
8“Misconceptions About Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines,” CDC, 2024.