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Flu symptoms include fever, muscle aches, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, and fatigue, which usually last from a week to ten days. The best way to protect the whole family from flu and its complications is to make sure everyone gets vaccinated before the winter season reaches its peak.
The main symptoms of flu include a sudden fever above 38°C, runny or congested nose, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and/or general fatigue. Symptoms appear about two days after infection. At first, they worsen, and then gradually improve. The illness usually lasts about a week.
In some cases, flu can lead to serious complications. These may include bacterial pneumonia secondary to the viral infection, or respiratory failure. Such complications can be very severe and may even lead to death. Certain populations are at higher risk of complications: the elderly, infants, people with chronic lung disease, and those with suppressed immune systems.
The flu virus spreads through direct contact with droplets released by an infected person when coughing or sneezing. These droplets reach a healthy person’s airways either by inhaling contaminated air or by touching contaminated objects (such as eating utensils, door handles, elevator buttons, etc.) and then touching the face.
Flu patients are contagious from about a day before symptoms appear and for about 5–6 days afterward. People with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer.
The usual treatment for flu is aimed at easing symptoms and strengthening the body. It includes rest, drinking fluids, fever-reducing medication, nasal drops, and so on. Since the flu is caused by a virus and not bacteria, antibiotics are not needed.
All Leumit clients aged 6 months and older are invited to receive the flu vaccine.
To avoid unnecessary exposure and for your health and safety, do not come to the medical center without an appointment. You can schedule an appointment for vaccination via the Leumit website, the app, or the customer service center at *507. For your convenience, upon entering the website or app you can choose the vaccination site most accessible to you, along with your preferred date and time.
The list of Leumit vaccination sites and medical centers where the flu vaccine is available is updated regularly.
Please note: you must remain at the medical center for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
If you have COVID-19 or symptoms such as fever and cough, do not come to the medical center.
Book an appt.The flu vaccine contains either an inactivated (killed) flu virus or a weakened live flu virus. These cannot cause flu. The vaccine has been used for many years and prevents both infection and complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.
This year, the vaccines available are Influvac-Tetra, Vaxigrip-Tetra, or Fluzone (for age 65+).
They are suitable for anyone aged 6 months and older.
After vaccination, the body’s immune system starts producing antibodies, which play a key role in protecting against future flu infections.
You can get vaccinated if you have a mild illness without fever, or a fever under 38°C; after recovering from a severe illness; after exposure to an infectious disease; while on antibiotics; or while being treated with steroids.
Do not get vaccinated if:
Generally, side effects are rare.
The vaccine contains inactivated viruses and cannot cause flu. If a respiratory infection develops soon after vaccination, it likely means the vaccine was given during the incubation period of the flu (after exposure), so the illness would have appeared regardless, or it was caused by another pathogen.
Local side effects may include redness, swelling, and tenderness at the injection site lasting 1–2 days, occurring in less than one-third of recipients.
Other possible effects include fever, muscle aches, and a general feeling of illness lasting 1–2 days. These are rare and mostly occur after the first vaccination. Even then, they are much milder than actual flu symptoms.
From age 2 to 49, you can get the live attenuated flu vaccine as a nasal spray. The spray is administered into both nostrils. The weakened viruses replicate only in the nasal passages, and the body’s immune system develops antibodies against them.
Live attenuated vaccines are created by weakening the disease-causing agent so it can still replicate slightly and trigger an immune response. The immune system produces a broad response, focusing on the site where protection is needed.
The vaccine is safe and recommended. If side effects occur, they are usually mild and may include: runny nose, cough, fever, muscle aches, stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
In very rare cases (1 in 1,000,000), a severe allergic reaction may occur immediately after vaccination. You must remain near the clinic for about 15 minutes after vaccination.
Do not use the live attenuated nasal spray vaccine in the following cases:
In children, side effects are usually mild and may include: runny nose, cough, fever, muscle aches, stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
In very rare cases (1 in 1,000,000), a severe allergic reaction may occur immediately after vaccination. You must remain near the clinic for about 15 minutes after vaccination.
