You can Still Receive Vaccination until the End of January
The flu season is officially here. Influenza-like illness (ILI), influenza testing and positive influenza test results have risen sharply in the last couple weeks. This activity has caused hospitalizations and even deaths across the country. I have seen news reports that this strain is more severe and wide spread than we have seen in the past, but the current data from the CDC suggests this is similar to what has been seen in the past few years. Influenza is a serious illness causing thousands of deaths annually and this is why there are recommendations for everyone over 6 months old to be vaccinated.
The current strain causing most of the illness is known as H3N2 Influenza A. This was included in the influenza vaccine, but the vaccine is not 100 percent effective. The flu shot is for prevention, not treatment and it is best given before the flu season hits. Although influenza is here now, it generally peaks in our area in February and March so you should still get your flu shot through January.
There is confusion about what influenza really is. Many people confuse the common cold with influenza. Also, people tend to call a bout of diarrhea and vomiting “the stomach flu” when that has nothing to do with true influenza. Influenza is a specific virus that has a number of strains with different genetically coded markers that cause primarily respiratory illness. The classic influenza infection symptoms are fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, congestion, headache and malaise. It usually lasts about a week. Generally, people are too sick to go to work or school.
Influenza is highly contagious through respiratory droplets spread through the air or touch. Once exposed, people tend to be become ill within 1-4 days. People who are ill should stay home to avoid spreading the virus. Careful, frequent hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding close contact can help prevent spreading the illness.
Healthy people generally get over influenza on their own. Treatment of the symptoms can help get through the illness. Tylenol or ibuprofen can be used for pain or fever. Cough syrup and cough drops can help cough symptoms. Drinking plenty of fluids helps with hydration. Stay home if you feel sick.
Antiviral medications (like Tamiflu) can be used to treat influenza. However, these medications should be reserved for people who are at high risk of complications or who are sick enough to require hospitalization. High-risk patients include adults over 65, infants, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, COPD, diabetes or are taking immune suppressive medications. Antiviral medications have been shown to lessen the course of the illness by 1-2 days if started early (first 2 days) in the course of the illness. Traditional antibiotics do not treat influenza since antibiotics do not treat viral infections.
Influenza can cause severe illness in some cases. The most common complication of influenza is pneumonia. Pneumonia can lead to respiratory failure and even death. Signs of complications would include prolonged fever, shortness of breath due to low oxygen levels, confusion and severe weakness. Complications of influenza sometimes require hospitalization.
Be aware the flu season is here and take precautions to avoid becoming ill. Remember, healthy people generally get over the flu on their own but watch for complications. I hope you can avoid the “flu” and stay healthy my friends.
Michael Shattuck, MD, is an emergency department physician at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin.
