Nurse administers a vaccine (National Cancer Institute / Wikimedia Commons)

What does flu do?

Influenza viruses are very clever and the strains can change each season—that's why you need to get the vaccine each year.  Lots of illnesses get called the "flu," but true flu causes abrupt onset of feeling horrible, like you've been hit by a train that was on fire.  

You suddenly feel achy all over and have a fever, usually associated with a sore throat or other cold-like symptoms. Most cases last 72 hours, then slowly you start getting back to normal.

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However, severe cases can last longer, cause worse symptoms or lead to complications such as muscle breakdown, inflammation around your brain and death.  The flu virus can overrun your immune system, making it easier for other infections to attack such as ear infections or pneumonia.  

How can you prevent this from happening?

1. Get your annual flu vaccine!  Vaccination is recommended for anyone of six months of age or older with no contraindications such as severe allergy to vaccine components.  Even people with mild allergies to eggs can now get vaccinated.  

Two forms of flu vaccines are available, a regular injection-style vaccine or the nasal spray vaccine, called FluMist.  The nasal spray vaccine is available for healthy individuals who are two to 50 years of age.  Available flu vaccines may be formulated with three or four strains of influenza viruses, which means the vaccine may offer protection against one or more type of flu virus.

Everyone worries about vaccine side effects, but you cannot get the flu from the shot given with a needle.  The shot is made up of proteins of the influenza virus and not the whole virus, so it can't cause the flu.  The vaccine can cause reactions at the shot site like pain and swelling and sometimes low-grade fevers.  

The nasal spray vaccine is made with whole influenza viruses that have been weakened, or attenuated.  Flu symptoms can occur after the nasal spray, but for most people, they are mild.  Remember, no vaccine is completely risk-free or works 100% of the time—wouldn't it be great if that were true?

2. Healthy eating, who knew?  Your grandma was right—your immune system needs all of those nutrients. Don't skip the fruits and veggies.

3. Get plenty of rest, and again, grandma's advice comes in!  Not everyone needs 10 hours a night but sleep is restorative for your mind and body, and your immune system needs it too.

4. Wash your hands, especially after contact with public surfaces where lots of germs can linger, such as the ATM or handle at the gas pump.

5. If you're sick and have a fever, please stay home. No need to share your germs!

6. Make sure everyone you care about is protected too. Take them for their vaccine, especially your grandma (look at all she has done for you.) Getting your vaccine helps protect them; do it for you and for them.

What if you do get flu symptoms?

After a couple of days on the couch, most of us recover without problems and don't need anti-viral medications. However, anti-flu medications are available and should be used at times. People with medical conditions including weak immune systems, diabetes, heart disease, or breathing problems such as asthma, among others should contact their doctor if they get flu symptoms. The medications work best when started within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Your life is too busy to be taken down by the flu, the best thing you can do is get your vaccination!

Reach Contributor ChrisAnna Mink MD here. Follow The Science Desk here.