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Protect Yourself From the Flu
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. Sometimes it can cause death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu shot each year. If you are vaccinated and catch the flu, your symptoms should be mild.
We provide flu shots to established Henry Ford patients by appointment only at all Henry Ford primary care and specialty locations beginning in September.
What if I have an egg allergy?
The CDC now says it’s safe for people with a history of egg allergies to receive any licensed flu shot. Read more here.
Get the flu shot wherever it's convenient
- Schedule a flu shot through your MyChart account. If you don’t have MyChart, sign up today.
- Ask for a flu shot during an appointment with your primary care or specialty doctor
- Retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, RiteAid, Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Meijer offer flu shots
If you think you have the flu
Most people with the flu do not need medical care and should stay home so they don’t spread it to others. If you get sick with flu symptoms you should:
- Stay home and rest
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid close contact with people in your home
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids so you don’t get dehydrated.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect touched surfaces at home, work or school.
- There are prescription medicines called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. These medicines are prescribed by a doctor and are not sold over the counter. Antiviral medicines can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. They also can prevent serious complications like pneumonia.
The flu is a virus, so antibiotics will not effectively treat flu symptoms.
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When to get emergency medical care
If you are sick and have any of the following warning signs, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Warning signs in children
- Fast breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Irritability so bad the child does not want to be held
- Symptoms improving, then returning with fever and worse cough
Warning signs in adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Symptoms improving, then returning with fever and worse cough
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Where to get care
Virtual Care from home
- If you think you have the flu, you probably won’t feel like leaving home to see your doctor. We now offer various virtual care options through your Henry Ford MyChart account.
- Video Visits on Demand - Engage in a live video visit, 24/7, with a Henry Ford doctor.
- E-Visit Message - Describe your symptoms to your doctor in an e-visit message, and within one business day you will get a reply.
Whatever virtual care option you choose, you can stay at home and get the care you need.
Primary Care Office
- Call your primary care doctor if you are very sick.
- If you are not sure if your symptoms are flu or COVID-19, call your primary care doctor.
Same Day Care
- If your symptoms get worse and you need to get in-person care, we have same-day care available.
Urgent Care
- When you can’t see your Henry Ford primary care team, you can go to a Henry Ford-GoHealth Urgent Care site. There are many locations, and you can save your spot in line.
Emergency Room
- Go to the Emergency Room or call 911 if need help right away.
- If you think you have the flu, you probably won’t feel like leaving home to see your doctor. We now offer various virtual care options through your Henry Ford MyChart account.