Last week, we talked about the importance of getting your annual flu shot. This week, we’ll talk about what the flu can do to us.
But first, a reminder: Flu shots are available at CareWell Urgent Care at Patriot Square in Dennis on a walk-in basis!
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; muscle or body aches; headaches; and feeling very tired. Some may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. Please note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever!
It is possible to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Young children and people with weakened immune systems can infect others for an even longer time.
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Yearly flu vaccinations should begin in September, or as soon as the vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. Flu season can begin early as October, but most of the time, seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later. Flu shots protect against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common this season.
Who should get vaccinated?
Everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, but it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.
Who is at high risk for developing flu-related complications?
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- Adults over 65
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
- People who take care of or live with those who are high risk of complications from flu
How does the flu spread?
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by 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 also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
Preventing Flu: Get vaccinated!
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. Depending on your age and overall health, you may have choices.
- The regular seasonal flu shot it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.
- A high-dose vaccine for people 65 and older which also is intramuscular. This vaccine was first made available during the 2010-2011 flu season.
- An intradermal vaccine for people 18 to 64 years of age is injected with a needle into the “dermis” or skin
- The nasal-spray flu which is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infections. So get your flu shot today, and in two weeks, you’re protected.
Until next time, please Stay Well!