Seasonal Influenza
Prevention, symptoms, and treatment of seasonal influenza (flu)
Prevention, Symptoms & Treatment
Learn about flu vaccinations, flu symptoms, and treatments
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially those at high risk of flu complications, such as young children, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with certain underlying health conditions.
Free Flu Vaccine Clinics for Children 6 months – 18 years
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) hosts free flu vaccine clinics for children ages six months – 18 years each fall. No appointments are necessary unless noted.
Not eligible for our clinics? The flu vaccine is now available from your health care provider or neighborhood pharmacy.
Dates & Locations:
St. Mary’s County Health Department Health Clinic, Leonardtown
- Friday, October 10, 2025 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Call 301-475-4419 to make an appointment)
- Friday, October 17, 2025 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Call 301-475-4419 to make an appointment)
- Friday, December 12, 2025 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Margaret Brent School-Based Health Center
- Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Spring Ridge School-Based Health Center
- Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
East Run Medical Center Parking Lot
SMCHD is partnering with MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (MSMH) for a drive-thru vaccine clinic for all ages. MSMH will offer flu vaccines for those 19 years and older for a $10 donation, and SMCHD will offer free flu vaccines for children ages 6 months to 18 years.
- Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Prevent the Flu
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits can also help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.
Health Habits to Protect Yourself & Others:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to prevent them from getting sick, too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. This may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by coughing, sneezing, or unclean hands.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Flu Symptoms
The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone with flu will have a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea – this is more common in children than adults
Most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people may develop complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections due to the flu. Some of these complications can be life-threatening.
Flu Treatment
If you get the flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and develop flu symptoms. The benefit of antiviral treatment is most significant if treatment starts within 2 days after illness onset. Antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They can also prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness, possibly resulting in a hospital stay.
Most people with the flu experience mild illnesses and do not require medical care or antiviral medications. If you get sick with flu symptoms, you should stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. SMCHD recommends staying home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medication. If you must leave home, for example, to get medical care, wear a face mask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of the flu to others.
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