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Take 3 Steps to Fight the Flu
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1.
Vaccinate
- Take time to get a flu vaccine
- A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting
against getting the flu
- The flu vaccine protects against the 3 main flu strains of the
season
- The vaccine can protect you from the 3 main flu strains or it
can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus
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2.
Stop Germs
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Use alcohol based hand sanitizers
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- If you get the flu, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
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3.
Antivirals
- Take flu antivirals if recommended by your doctor
- Antivirals can make your symptoms less mild and may make you
feel better faster
- Antivirals work best if started soon after getting sick (within
2 days of symptoms)
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges you to take these steps to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu). |
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Mercy Health Plans on Flu
Where can I go? - Show/Hide
Most pediatricians and physician offices carry seasonal flu vaccines. We encourage you to receive your seasonal flu vaccine from your provider.
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My doctor doesn't provide flu vaccination in their office - Show/Hide
If your provider doesn't carry the seasonal flu vaccine,
we offer other options:
Visit one of the participating Flu Vaccine Clinics Near You (below).
Pay for flu vaccination out of pocket at a non-participating clinic and submit this form for reimbursement up to $25.
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My covered child is away at college - Show/Hide
Pay for flu vaccination out of pocket at a non-participating clinic and submit this form for reimbursement up to $25.
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Is Influenza A (H1N1) covered? - Show/Hide
Mercy Health Plans will reimburse for the administration fee of the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.
Pay for H1N1 vaccination out of pocket at a non-participating clinic and submit this form for reimbursement up to $20.
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Is FluMist covered? - Show/Hide
Mercy Health Plans covers the cost of FluMist for healthy individuals ages 2-49 who are not pregnant.
Remember that there needs to be at
least four weeks between the administration of FluMist and the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.
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Flu Vaccine Clinics Near You
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Missouri (Eastern) - Show/Hide
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Missouri (Southwest) - Show/Hide
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Is it a Cold or the Flu?
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Fever
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Rare
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Characteristic, high (102-104°); lasts 3-4 days
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Headache
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Rare
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Prominent
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General Aches, Pains
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Slight
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Usual; often severe
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Fatigue, Weakness
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Quite mild
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Can last up to 2-3 weeks
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Extreme Exhaustion
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Never
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Early and prominent
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Stuffy Nose
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Common
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Sometimes
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Sneezing
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Usual
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Sometimes
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Sore Throat
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Common
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Sometimes
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Chest Discomfort, Cough
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Mild to moderate; hacking cough
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Common; can become severe
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Sinus congestion or earache
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Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening
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None
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Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines -- see your doctor
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Only temporary relief of symptoms
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Antiviral medicines -- see your doctor
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