UMass Boston

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs. It causes mild to severe illness. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times, can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

If you are feeling sick, we encourage taking a COVID-19 antigen test to rule out COVID-19. If you need to be seen by a healthcare provider, please make an appointment at UHS. 

Look for emergency warning signs for influenza:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• seizures
• not urinating
• severe muscle pain
• severe weakness or unsteadiness
• fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens
• worsening of chronic medical conditions

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to a local emergency facility. 

Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. 

You may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as when you are sick with symptoms.

• People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins.
• Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.
• Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses, like flu.

Yes. There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu and who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.

Yes. Antiviral drugs are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine. While a flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, a flu vaccine is the best way to help prevent seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications.

Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine every year. Antiviral drugs are a second line of defense that can be used to treat flu (including seasonal flu and variant flu viruses) if you get sick.

Antiviral treatment works best when started soon after the flu illness begins.

When treatment is started within two days of becoming sick with flu symptoms, antiviral drugs can lessen fever and flu symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by about one day. The CDC offers these details on what you should know about antiviral drugs.

University Health Services offers flu shots to all students of UMass Boston.

Instructions to Web-Book:

1. Log in to My Health Beacon Portal.
2. Select "Schedule an Appointment" on the portal home screen.
3. Select "Immunization Clinic" and select the desired immunization. 

You can also call 617-287-5660 to book an appointment with the front desk.

• Use the Vaccine Finder.
• Check with your doctor, pharmacist, or community health center.
• Contact your state health department.
• Check your local pharmacy's website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Walk-in appointments may be available.