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What is flu?
Influenza, commonly shortened to “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.
What is H1N1 flu?
The H1N1 virus emerged last year (2009-10) and caused the first global pandemic in more than 40 years. The U.S. Public Health Emergency for 2009 H1N1 expired on June 23, 2010. The 2010 seasonal flu vaccine protects against the H1N1 virus in addition to an H3N2 and influenza B virus.
How do flu viruses spread?
Seasonal flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may be infected by touching a surface or object with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are symptoms of the flu?
Seasonal flu symptoms can be mild or severe. The common symptoms of flu include:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
How to tell the difference between colds and the flu
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. Yearly flu vaccination begins in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continues throughout the flu season.
This year the flu vaccine includes protection against the H1N1 virus. It is expected to be ready for the public this fall.
There are also everyday actions you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses like cold and flu.
Does Wellmark cover flu vaccines?
Most Wellmark health plans provide benefits for seasonal flu and pneumococcal vaccines. Log in to check your benefits  or call Customer Service using the number on your Wellmark ID card.
Who should get a seasonal flu vaccination?
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flue and recommends everyone six months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccination for the upcoming season. It is especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live or care for people at high risk of having serious flu-related complications. Pregnant women
- Children ages 6 months to five years
- People 50 years of age and older
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
- People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
Keep in mind that it takes up to two weeks to build immunity following a flu shot.
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009
Who should NOT get a flu shot?
Anyone with:
- An allergy to eggs
- Fever
- History of Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Previous adverse reaction to a flu shot
- Infants under 6 months old
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009
Can the flu shot give you the flu?
While the flu shot is made up of flu virus particles, they are all inactive, so they can’t make you sick.
Where can I get a flu shot?
There are many places where you can get a flu shot.
- Your doctor’s office
- Pharmacies
- Walk-in clinics
- Employer clinics
- Hospitals
- Local health department
Where can I get an H1N1 flu vaccine?
There is no need for a separate H1N1 vaccine this year as it is included in the 2010 seasonal flu vaccine.
Can I receive vaccines from my local pharmacy?
If your health benefits provide coverage for vaccines, you may be able to receive the vaccine at a pharmacy and have it covered under your pharmacy benefits. Keep in mind:
- Your cost share is based on your pharmacy benefits. Most vaccines are covered at the Tier 2 drug level.
- Not all pharmacies offer flu shots; only pharmacies that employ a pharmacist who is certified to administer vaccines can offer this service.
- Use a network or contracting pharmacy; otherwise you will have to pay for the flu shot, submit a paper claim, and wait for reimbursement.
- You may need a prescription from a medical provider; check with the pharmacy.
Log in to check your benefits or call Customer Service using the number on your Wellmark ID card to see if this option is available to you.
I had a flu shot last year, do I need one again?
The flu vaccine you got last year wasn’t designed to fight the virus strains in circulation this flu season. Because different strains of influenza circulate every winter, annual flu shots are necessary.
How long can someone spread the flu virus to others?
According to the CDC, most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Use these prevention strategies to help keep germs in check.
If I have a family member who's sick with the flu, should I stay home too?
People who are well but who have an ill family member at home can go to work and school as usual. Monitor your health and take everyday precautions, including washing your hands often with soap or water. If you become sick, stay home.
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