Flu (Influenza)

Understanding the Flu

What is influenza?

The flu is a respiratory virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. When infected, you may experience fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. 

Feeling Sick? Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have flu symptoms and seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment.

Additional information on the flu

Seasonal patterns

Flu season typically spans from October to May, with the highest number of cases occurring during January and February. However, the exact timing can vary from year to year, making early vaccination important for protection throughout the season.

Prevention steps and strategies

The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine every year. 

Additional preventive actions to stop the spread of flu

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
    • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
    • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Vaccination information

Getting vaccinated

  • Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions.
  • Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza.
  • It's important to understand that the vaccine cannot cause the flu.
  • It is safe and often common to receive the flu shot in addition to other vaccines during the same visit. 

Vaccine options

Nasal spray alternative

Some people may prefer the nasal spray vaccine, which is available for healthy individuals between ages 2 and 49 who aren't pregnant. Your health care provider can help determine if this option suits your needs.

People with egg allergies

Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, people with an egg allergy may get any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status.

Guidance for specific groups

You can find updated recommendations for specific groups from expert sources on our Access to Vaccines webpage.

Access to vaccines

Finding your vaccine

Getting your flu shot is convenient and accessible. Most local pharmacies and doctor's offices offer the vaccine. The New Orleans Health Department and many community organizations host vaccination clinics to provide additional opportunities for free vaccination throughout the season.

Locate vaccines near me

Personal guidance

If you have questions about flu vaccination, your health care provider can offer personalized advice based on your medical history and current health status. You can find updated recommendations for specific groups from expert sources on our Access to Vaccines webpage.

Treatment

If you are sick with flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your illness. Flu antiviral drugs can make flu illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. Flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person is at higher risk of severe flu illness or is very sick from flu.

About our Vax & Go campaign

The New Orleans Health Department launched Vax & Go to strengthen our community's defense against influenza and COVID-19 during the holiday season and Mardi Gras. By participating in this campaign, you help create a healthier, more resilient New Orleans. Join us in protecting yourself and your neighbors through vaccination.

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