If you have a mild headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches or fatigue after getting the flu shot, it’s because your body is doing what it should. The vaccine triggers your immune system to gear up to fight off a real infection and that can feel like you have a mild case of the flu.

The immune response side effects only last for a day or two. Plenty of water and acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can help relieve side-effects.

The flu vaccine uses dead viruses to spark the immune response. You can still get an influenza infection after your annual flu shot, but it’s less likely and with your immune system primed to fight it off, you are less likely to have severe symptoms.

The injected flu vaccine is made from dead flu virus or proteins from the flu virus. Neither can cause infection.

“Even a healthy person can’t predict how serious a case of the flu might be,” said Lacey A. Conway, APRN, a family medicine provider with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care in Bardstown. “Preventing the flu is the best way to keep from potentially winding up in the hospital, or perhaps the emergency department or an immediate care center.”

READ MORE: What is influenza B?

A severe allergic reaction to the flu shot is very rare. If breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness occur it is usually within a few minutes or hours after receiving the influenza vaccine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An allergic reaction to the flu vaccine is unlikely, but you should let the medical provider giving you the vaccine that you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to the flu vaccine or a part of the flu vaccine, including an egg allergy.

Will nasal Neosporin protect me against the flu?

This untrue advice is a spin-off of another internet claim that advises putting an antibacterial such as Neosporin ointment in your nostrils before air travel to zap germs. Any protection offered by an antibiotic ointment would affect only bacteria. A virus causes the flu, so antibacterials are of no help.

Do young, healthy people need the influenza vaccine?

Current CDC guidelines recommend yearly flu vaccination against for almost everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women. Flu complications can include severe illness and cause hospitalization or death among otherwise healthy children and adults of all ages.

Do antibiotics fight flu?

The influenza virus will not respond to antibiotics, which affect bacteria, not viruses.

Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, can help lessen the flu’s impact. Antivirals need to be taken within 48 hours of the first sign of symptoms. Additionally, over-the-counter fever reducers (such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen) and congestion fighters can offer some relief.

Can I prevent the flu by washing my hands regularly?

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs, but hand washing alone cannot keep you from getting the flu. Influenza is spread through the air via saliva droplets that can land on you and get into your nose, mouth and eyes. The flu can live up to eight hours on surfaces, so you can pick it up by touching contaminated surfaces. Do wash your hands often with soap and water, but the No. 1 way to avoid the flu is to get the flu shot.

Common flu symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, cough and muscle or body aches. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, however these are more common in children than adults.

“If you are mildly ill with flu symptoms, seeing your health provider or visiting an immediate care center are good options,” Lacey said. “The important thing is not to ignore flu symptoms, especially if they seem to be getting worse.”

Is it the flu or a cold?

The post Getting flu from the flu shot, Neosporin in nose and other flu myths appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Here are some of the more common illnesses that kids pick up in school and bring home, along with tips on how to treat them.

Cold

Symptoms: Sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, mild fatigue, fever

Treatment: Home care products may relieve some of the symptoms but will not get rid of the illness. Antibiotics won’t help either — it just has to run its course. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Symptoms: Red, itchy eyes; blurred vision; sensitivity to light, eye discharge

Treatment: Antibiotics, usually eye drops, are effective for bacterial infections. Viral conjunctivitis will go away on its own.

Flu

Symptoms: Abrupt onset of fever, headache, muscle pain and malaise; possible sore throat and cough.

Treatment: Replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals), and eat bland foods (crackers, toast, rice or chicken). Avoid dairy products and highly seasoned or fatty foods for a few days.

Lice

Symptoms: Itchy scalp. Frequent scratching may cause broken skin or sores to form on the scalp. The damaged skin may weep clear fluid or crust over, and it may become infected. In response to infection, the lymph nodes behind the ears and in the neck may become tender and swollen.

Treatment: Over-the-counter lice shampoos work in most cases, though others require a prescription. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more specific instructions.

Mononucleosis

Symptoms: Fever; sore throat; enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck and armpit; facial swelling; general discomfort; drowsiness; loss of appetite; muscle aches or stiffness; enlarged spleen; rash.

Treatment: Talk to your pediatrician or primary care physician. Get lots of rest — sometimes for a month or longer. Use warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to gargle for sore throat. Take acetaminophen for pain relief.

Pharyngitis (Sore Throat)

Symptoms: Sore throat (of course); fever; headache; joint and muscle aches; skin rash; swollen lymph glands in the neck

Treatment: If caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help and it will go away on its own within five to seven days. However, antibiotics can help if the sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.

Strep Throat

Symptoms: Sore throat, pain with swallowing, fever, headache, stomach ache, swollen tonsils and lymph glands

Treatment: Your health care provider likely will prescribe an antibiotic. Gargling with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) several times a day and taking pain relievers such as acetaminophen can help with symptoms.

Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens is operated by Norton Healthcare. The health care providers at Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens are employees of Norton Healthcare. The health care providers are not employees, associates and/or agents of Walgreen Co. or any Walgreens subsidiary or affiliated company.

The post How to handle some of the more common bugs kids bring home from school appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Seasonal allergies can have many of the same symptoms as other conditions, such as the common cold or a sinus infection. Do you know how to tell the difference?

If you feel like you have a cold every spring and fall, it could be a sign of seasonal allergies. Allergies and colds can trigger sinus infections — congestion can create a breeding ground for bacteria. It is important to treat allergy and cold symptoms to prevent the development of a sinus infection.

Whether you have a cold, sinus infection or allergies, antibiotics don’t help treat these conditions most of the time. Over-the-counter medications like nasal sprays, oral antihistamines and eye drops can help relieve your symptoms. If you’re experiencing allergies, try to limit your exposure to your known triggers.

Here’s a symptom checker to help you determine if it’s a cold, allergies or sinus infection.

When should I see a provider?

Colds and sinus symptoms typically clear up in seven to 10 days. If your cold is lingering longer than 10 days or you have new or worsening symptoms, see a provider to evaluate your symptoms.Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer can help prevent spreading the bugs that can get us sick.

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