It’s that time of year again. The weather starting to cool, the leaves start to change, the school year is in full swing, and the holidays are soon approaching.
It’s also the time of year when the flu season starts and when you should consider getting your flu vaccine. Though flu season is just starting, there are ways that you can prevent yourself and your loved ones from getting sick.
Influenza (also known as flu) is a respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. Flu season typically runs from the start of October through May. People who have flu may experience symptoms such as cough, sneezing, fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, vomiting or diarrhea. It is spread by tiny droplets when people sneeze, cough, or talk.
Most people can recover within 2 weeks of getting the flu. However, some people can get severe illness and complications with the flu that rarely can lead to death. These complications include sinus or ear infections, pneumonia, inflammation of body tissues, or organ failure.
Anyone can develop serious complications from flu, but there are certain groups of people that at higher risk for developing those serious complications. These include being older than 65 years of age or younger than 2 years old, being pregnant, having chronic conditions such as lung or heart disease, a BMI greater than 40, a condition affecting your brain or nervous system, or having a weakened immune system.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a more comprehensive list of all the groups that are at increased risk for complications. If you are included in any of these groups, it is especially important to consider the options that are available to help protect you against flu.
One of the best ways to prevent getting flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone that is 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine each year.
Getting the flu vaccine can help decrease your risk of needing to go to the doctor by up to anywhere from 40 to 60%. It can come in several forms, including a shot with a needle, a jet injection, or nasal spray. Even if you have an egg allergy, the CDC recommends you can receive any type of flu vaccine.
The exceptions that you should not get the flu vaccine is if you are a child under 6 months of age, or you have a severe, life-threatening allergies to any component of a flu vaccines (not including egg proteins). You can discuss with your doctor if getting the flu vaccine is right for you and if so, what kind of flu vaccine you should receive.
Getting the flu vaccine will not give you the flu. But you might get flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches or a fever in the few days after you get the vaccine, as your body develops the protective antibodies to defend against the influenza.
There is also a two week period after getting the vaccine while the vaccine takes its full effect when you may get the flu. You can still get the flu even after completing the two weeks after vaccination. But at that point your body will have developed the protective antibodies so that if you do get it, your symptoms will likely be milder than if you didn’t get the vaccine.
There are other ways to prevent flu as well. Washing your hands well and often with soap and water or using hand sanitizer can prevent the spread of germs. You can cover your mouth and your nose when you cough or sneeze, either with a tissue, the crook of your elbow, or a mask, and washing your hands afterward.
Avoid touching your face. You can also improve the air quality in your environment by either opening the windows or doors or using an air purifier. Spending time outdoors is a way to help lessen the spread of germs.
If you are sick with flu, to help prevent infecting other people with flu, you can stay at home for at least 24 hours. You may consider returning to school or work once you are at least 24 hours without a fever and you have improved symptoms.
If you do find yourself developing symptoms of flu, you can visit your doctor. There are antiviral medications that can be used to help treat flu. You can also discuss with your doctor ways to help manage your symptoms while you are sick.
Dr. Chen is a resident physician who sees patients of all ages and provides obstetrical services at Lone Star Family Health Center, a non-profit 501©3 Federally Qualified Health Center operating facilities in Conroe, Spring, Willis, Grangerland, and Huntsville, and serving as home to a fully integrated Family Medicine Residency Program to increase the number of Family Medicine physicians for Texas and our community.