You are already in bad shape and the flu season has only just begun. So you are asking yourself, "should I get the flu shot if I am sick?" Well, it all depends on what you mean by sick.
Should I get the flu shot if I am sick?
If you have a cold, you can be vaccinated without any problem. However, you should not get a flu shot if you are really sick; that is, if you have an acute illness with fever. In that case, it is better to delay the vaccination until you are fully recovered. If you are worried that the vaccine will give you the flu, you can rest assured; the immunization shot does not contain the live virus and cannot, under any circumstances, cause the flu.
When should I be vaccinated?
The flu virus circulates primarily between late autumn and early spring and it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach its full effectiveness. It is therefore recommended to get your vaccination as soon as the vaccine is available. However, there will always be time later in the year to get the flu shot if you were sick at the beginning of the flu season.
What is flu?
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. It is often confused with the common cold because their symptoms are similar. Influenza is, however, much less common than the common cold, whose main symptoms are a runny nose and sore throat. The main symptoms of flu are more intense and more numerous than those of the common cold.
Flu symptoms
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain in children
When should I see a doctor?
There is no cure for the flu, which usually goes away by itself after a week. However, it is recommended to drink a lot of fluids (water, juice, milk and broth) to counteract the dehydration caused by fever. Consult a doctor immediately if flu symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or pain when breathing. Similarly, the following symptoms, when they appear along with the flu, require an emergency response:
- No urination for 12 hours
- Confusion, disorientation
- Convulsions
- Difficulty moving or breathing
- Bluish lips
- Stiff neck
- Drowsiness
A virus that’s easy to transmit
Influenza is highly contagious and spreads very easily, particularly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In addition, it sometimes leads to complications such as dehydration, ear infections or bronchitis. Vaccination is therefore important in order to reduce the spread of the virus. If you are still not sure if you should get the flu shot because you're sick, make an appointment with a healthcare professional to get the best advice.
