Flu season generally peaks around this time of year and reports show increases across the country, especially in Maine. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,208 new cases the week of Feb. 10, and 8,965 confirmed cases so far for the 2024-2025 flu season. So far, Penobscot, York, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Kennebec counties have the highest reports of the flu.

If you don’t have the flu

Take a few steps to protect yourself because Benjamin Franklin was right back in 1736: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

• Get vaccinated: It’s ideal to get a vaccine before Oct. 31, but if you haven’t gotten the flu yet, a vaccine may still protect you from getting sick or getting seriously ill if you do.
• Wash your hands: You’ve heard it before. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to stop germs from spreading. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing the alphabet), especially after shopping or being around others.
• Boost your immune system: Add some fruit, veggies and whole grains to those chops and County potatoes. Garlic and ginger, or snacks like oranges, are great to include in your diet. And while you might not think of it as often in winter, stay hydrated.
• Stay active: Mainers live in a winter wonderland. Layer up and get out there to enjoy it.
• Manage stress and get enough rest: Chronic stress wears you down and makes it easier to catch a bug. So, relax and recharge, enjoy or start a hobby, read a good book, or simply spend time with family.

If you think you have the flu

If you feel sick and have symptoms like a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or fatigue it’s best to get tested for the flu. You can even ask your doctor to give you a combined test for flu and COVID or pick up a test at your local pharmacy.

If you have the flu, you can call your primary care provider or visit an urgent care and ask for a prescription for an antiviral medication to ease your symptoms. Those drugs work best if taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms, so it’s best to act quickly.

If you are a Community Health Options Member, you have access to virtual urgent care through Amwell’s® online platform. You can sign up for 24/7 access in your Member Portal through the Health & Wellness tab.

If you’ve been around people with the flu

If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the flu, antiviral meds could help prevent you from catching it, too, or may reduce the severity of the virus if you get sick. This is especially true if you are among those at risk of complications, like young children, people with immune conditions and the elderly. Even without those risks, antivirals can help someone with a confirmed exposure within 48 hours. It’s best to check with a healthcare provider.

You can find out more information about how to take care of you and your loved ones on the CDC’s flu website.

Have a question about Community Health Options or your benefits? Call our Maine-based Member Services team at (855) 624-6463 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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