The flu is going around. So is covid. AND the norovirus. There's a lot of ick going around, and it's probably made you or someone you know sick by now.

Important - Influenza Is Not The Stomach Flu

People get this wrong all the time. They'll say, "Oh I came down with a 24-hour flu and I was vomiting and had the worst diarrhea." No, that's not influenza. Influenza symptoms are having a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches, and typically lasts for days. It can be very serious, even fatal for some people with compromised immune systems.

Close-up medical syringe with a vaccine.
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Flu Vaccines Help With Severity Of Illness

The Mayo Clinic shared myths about the flu. One of them is that "Flu Shots Never Work."

According to the Mayo Clinic, flu vaccines create super protection from the flu. They are not 100% effective, but they are the best defense against serious flu-related illnesses.

3,392 Minnesotans Hospitalized With Influenza To Date

In last week's report from the Minnesota Health Department, total hospitalizations for this flu season to date are nearly 3500.

Brunette sneezing in a tissue in the living room
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Once You Get Influenza, Can You Get It Again?

Some people think they don't need a flu shot if they already had the flu this season and recovered. Sorry, bad news here. Here's what the Mayo Clinic says:

Even if you've been diagnosed with influenza and recovered, you can get sick from the flu again. Typically, multiple strains of the flu circulate each year. So, if you were ill from one strain, getting the flu vaccine may help prevent complications if you become ill from a different strain.

Strains mutate from year to year.

Every year scientists come up with a new vaccine because the virus mutates. That's why they recommend you get a flu shot every year.

Wash your hands!

The best way to give yourself a fighting chance from all the crud going around is to wash your hands frequently. If you're sick, stay home. Avoid the 10 Hotspots For Influenza.

Top 10 Spots Where You'll Most Likely Catch The Flu

If you don't want to catch the flu, here are the top 10 spots that you'll want to avoid (or heavily sanitize).

Source: Eat This Not That

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio