woman sick at home

Flu Season 2023 – 2024

Influenza (flu) is an easily spread respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. About 5-20% of people in the U.S. get the flu each 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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting your flu shot this fall and updating annually to help reduce your risk of complications from the flu, including  
hospitalization. Patients 65 years and older are recommended to receive the high-dose flu vaccine. 

To schedule a flu shot for you or your family, schedule a vaccine appointment on MyChart or contact Loma Linda University Primary Care at 909-255-3236.

Children's Vaccination Clinic

Kids can get a flu shot, a Tdap booster, or both at our Faculty Medical Clinics Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Faculty Medical Clinic Pharmacy
11370 Anderson St., Suite 1000
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Insurance will be billed, if possible. Cash prices are $25 for the flu shot alone, $25 for the Tdap booster alone, or only $35 for both together. Learn more.

Resources

Health Provider Treating Patient

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.
URGENT CARE
Primary Care

Learn More About the Flu

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 a flu shot for you or your family, schedule a vaccine appointment on MyChart or 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.