From year to year, the flu changes, and so do its symptoms. This is another reason to get a flu shot regularly. While the symptoms can change and vary, there are some common, recurring symptoms of the flu. These symptoms can be sore throat, cough, and stuffy nose, but the common cold also has these symptoms.

With the flu and only the flu, you might also have an achy and fatigued body, headaches, chills, and/or fever. It’s possible for some patients to get a fever over 100 degrees. Young patients have similar symptoms, but they can also experience diarrhea, vomiting, and/or nausea. With newborns, the flu with a fever can be very serious, so it’s necessary to get emergency care at a hospital.

Yes, flu shots are safe for just about everyone. There has been a great deal of research done and there’s a long safety record that supports the flu shot. For over 5 decades now, flu shots have been given hundreds of millions of times. Some groups of people may have some risk factors that make it inadvisable for them to get a flu shot, but most Americans are not at risk. Here at Columbia Clinic, we’ll look at your medical record to make sure you’re not at risk.

Some people might worry about the side effects of flu shots, but they’re minimal and negligible. They’re also temporary. These side effects can be muscle aches, headache, nausea, fever, or soreness or swelling at the injection site. These effects are very rarely a cause for concern. Also, some people wonder whether they can get the flu from a flu shot, but this isn’t possible.

Patients with insurance will likely have the cost of their flu shot covered by their provider and plan. Here at Columbia Clinic, we work with most major providers to ensure your services with us will be covered. Uninsured patients will find our self-pay rates very reasonable. Please get in touch with us to learn more about our pricing and the insurers we work with. We’d be happy to speak with you for any other reason too, so don’t hesitate to call!

Yes, we do! We offer flu shots on a walk-in basis here at our Division St location at 16279 SE Division St. Portland, OR 97236. We’re open for you six days a week, and no appointment is necessary for your flu shots. You can, however, book an appointment if you’d prefer to. To do so, please call us or book with us online.

We’d be happy to see you for your shot, and we can see anyone else in your family of any age too. Bring everyone over for your shots! We’ll be happy to provide them for you and your loved ones. We hope to see you soon here at Columbia Clinic in Division St Portland, OR!