Have the Flu?
If you or your child has flu-like symptoms, contact your primary care physician first. If your physician is unavailable, our urgent care clinics are ready to help.
Primary Care
Flu Season 2020 – 2021
Influenza (flu) is an easily spread respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. About 5% to 20% of people in the U.S. get the flu each year, with more than 410,000 hospitalized with the illness last year.
Here are some useful resources for this year's flu season, typically October through March. Learn about flu essentials and tips to help keep you, your family and our community healthy.
Flu Vaccinations
Help us keep everyone safe this flu season by getting vaccinated. Even if you can fight off infection, you may still spread it to those who can't. This puts anyone you interact with at risk, including these groups at higher risk of serious illness and death from flu complications:
- Older adults
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems and other chronic medical conditions
Learn More About the Flu
We're here to help you with all your questions about the flu, symptoms, vaccines, treatment and more. See all of our flu articles.
Flu 2020: Is there still time to get the shot?
Should I go to the Emergency Department?
Patients are encouraged to contact their primary care physician first to address cold and flu-like symptoms. Flu symptoms include muscle or body aches, fever or chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and fatigue.
If you're not able to make an appointment at one of our primary care clinics, we also offer three urgent care locations. Walk-in flu care services are available seven days a week and 24-hour care is available at select locations.
If you are experiencing an emergency, our emergency department is open 24 hours.
Adults should only go to the emergency room for the following reasons:
- Flu-like symptoms improve but return with a fever or worse cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Chest pain
- Confusion
A child should only visit the emergency room for the following reasons:
- Flu-like symptoms improve but return with a fever or worse cough
- Bluish skin color
- Dehydrated
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Fever with a rash
- Not eating
Where can I get my flu shot?
To schedule your flu shot, contact Loma Linda University Primary Care at 909-255-3236.
Am I at risk for the flu?
The following individuals are at higher risk of developing the flu:
- Adults over the age of 65
- Children under the age of five
- Women who are pregnant
- Individuals with asthma
How can I prevent the flu?
The best (and probably) simplest ways to prevent the flu are:
- Get vaccinated
- Wash hands often
- Avoid contact with others
- Cover your mouth before you cough
- If possible, avoid the emergency room, which is open to additional germs and illnesses.
Should I get the flu vaccine?
Prevention is key to help reduce the spread of the flu, and it starts with a vaccination. Children and adults are encouraged to get a flu vaccination to reduce the chances of catching the virus and sharing it among peers, colleagues and families.
The flu vaccine has been updated this year per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to better match the flu viruses likely to come this season. The vaccine takes approximately two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body.
Learn: Why is getting the flu vaccine correct so complicated?
