Are you ready for flu season?
Celeste Heckman, MD
Strasburg Family Health Center
"Reprinted From Lancaster County Woman Newspaper."
Influenza is a contagious upper respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Infection can result in an illness from mild to severe and life threatening. Influenza has its most serious consequences for those over the age 65, those with other medical complications, and very young children. Serious complications include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Millions of people in the United States—about 5% to 20% of U.S. residents—will get the flu each year. An average of 114,000 people is hospitalized for flu-related complications and 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza.
Peak flu season can range from November through March with the heaviest activity usually in February. However, last year the peak for flu activity was late December to mid-January and lasted through February and March. The influenza viruses are spread from person to person by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. The flu can be spread one day prior to the infected person feeling sick and up to seven days after the start of symptoms. Symptoms of the flu include sudden onset of high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and muscle aches.
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall. Vaccination is especially important for people over the age of 65, those with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, pregnant women and children between the ages of 6-23 months. It is also important for those who may be potential carriers of the flu to those at high risk for complications to be vaccinated, especially healthcare workers, adults and teachers in daycare settings, school teachers, and household contacts of children under the age of two and the immunosuppressed. Vaccination is also recommended for pregnant women. Breastfeeding women may be immunized and the antibody against influenza that is passed in breast milk may offer additional protection against influenza to infants.
Influenza vaccine is not recommended for people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or people who have had a severe reaction to influenza vaccination in the past, children less than 6 months old, or people in the midst of another infection with a fever. The influenza immunization is made from killed virus particles so you can not get the flu from the vaccine. However, it is possible to get other respiratory viral infections especially in the fall. Most people who claim to have gotten the “flu” from the vaccination were most likely suffering from a coincidental viral infection. It does take about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to fully develop to the influenza virus. Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get the flu, but they will usually have milder symptoms. A vaccine like any other medicine has a potential for side effects. Mild problems such as soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, or aches may occur after vaccination. Serious problems from the inactivated flu vaccine are very rare, but serious allergic reactions may occur. It is important for persons with history of allergic reactions to eggs to notify their healthcare providers before receiving immunizations.
There are other good health habits that help prevent the spread of the flu and other viral illnesses.
- Wash your hands to protect yourself from germs.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing to prevent spreading virus.
- Stay home when you are sick—you will help prevent the spread of illness to others.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth—these are entry ways for germs into your body.
So as flu season approaches, keep in mind the good health habits listed above to help prevent the spread of viral illnesses and call your doctor in October or November for more information about flu immunizations.