Flu information center

Feeling sick but unsure if you have the flu? The common cold, flu and COVID-19 share many symptoms, but often present very differently. Here are how each typically show:

We’re ready for you anywhere that’s most convenient for you and your family, whether it’s at your primary care provider, urgent care or a walk-in clinic. Curbside vaccination is also available – you don’t even need to get out of your car.*

• Schedule in Spectrum Health App or visit MyChart.

*Curbside visits will be coded and billed as an urgent care visit on your billing statement.

• Find a community clinic near you.
• Your employer may be participating in a workplace flu clinic through Spectrum Health.
• Find a location, including urgent care or walk-in clinic, near you.

The flu shot may prevent the flu or reduce symptoms, but there is no cure for the flu. The flu may lead to serious illness, particularly for those with chronic health conditions. Most people with flu will have a mild illness and can treat symptoms by:

• Staying home
• Getting plenty of sleep
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Taking over-the-counter medications to reduce fever, body aches and congestion

Get care if you think you need medical attention based on your combination of symptoms.

• Schedule a video visit with a provider. On-demand video visits are available 24/7, convenient and allow you to stay home to prevent the potential spread to others. Conduct an on-demand video visit using MyChart on desktop or through the Spectrum Health app.
• After a video visit, the provider may still recommend you be seen in-person or direct you to an urgent care location, based on the severity of your symptoms.

Visit our COVID-19 Information Center to stay up to date on visitor requirements, ways to schedule and more about vaccinations.

The flu shot is important every year. But with COVID-19, reducing the spread of preventable respiratory illnesses is more important than ever. The more people that are vaccinated against the flu, the less-likely it’s able to spread. COVID-19 and flu symptoms are very similar and transmit to people in similar ways. The flu vaccine has been safely proven to reduce the risk of the flu.

Nearly everyone, except infants less than six-months-old. Flu vaccines are particularly important for children under 2, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions. If you have questions, check with your doctor about getting the flu shot.

Anytime. Our clinics are ready for you. The most optimal time is September through October, but you can get a shot anytime within the flu season. The sooner you get the flu shot, the better. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop protective antibodies.

Yes. The flu vaccine protects against the most common strains expected during the flu season. It is possible to contract a flu virus not covered by the vaccine or contract the flu in the two-week period it takes for the vaccine to become effective.

The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. There’s still much to learn about COVID-19, and information is always evolving. We do know the timing of flu season is predictable, and preventing the flu is as easy as getting an annual flu shot.

Wearing masks, washing hands frequently and keeping socially distanced from others will help limit flu spread along with COVID-19. Remember to stay active, eat well and drink lots of water.

Fact: Flu symptoms can be mild or more severe, and develop into serious health conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis or respiratory failure. Flu vaccinations save lives and prevents tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year.

Fact: You can't get the flu from the flu vaccine. The flu shot may prevent or reduce your risk of getting the flu, or lessen flu-like symptoms.: You can't get the flu from the flu vaccine. The flu shot may prevent or reduce your risk of getting the flu, or lessen flu-like symptoms.

Fact: The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months get a flu vaccine every year.

Fact: Because the flu virus changes year to year, a flu vaccine is needed every year to protect against the most current strains. Immunity from a flu shot also only lasts for about a year.

Fact: The flu shot only protects against the flu. The flu shot does not protect against viral gastroenteritis, which is commonly known as "stomach flu".