Influenza, also called “the flu,” is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. It can cause mild to severe illness. Annually, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized from flu complications and approximately 36,000 people die from flu. Last season, from 2016-2017, Idaho recorded a record number of flu-related deaths, totaling 72. And we’ve already gotten our first report of a flu-related death this season. Normally the peak of flu season is anytime between December and March, although flu season can start as early as October and last until May.
How do you know if you have the Flu?
The flu can present with the following non-specific signs and symptoms; abrupt onset of fever, muscle aches, severe fatigue, sore throat and dry cough that often make people sick enough to keep them in bed for several days, headache and runny or stuffy nose, and or stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur but are more common in children than adults. These symptoms are associated with other types of infections such as the common cold and other viruses. So if you are suffering from these symptoms please consider seeing your health care provider.
Some individuals, such as older people, young children, and those with certain underlying health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. Complications of flu can include pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus issues and ear infections.
Aspirin or medications with salicylates, which are common ingredients in many cold medications, should not be given to children or adolescents that are sick with flu-like symptoms or fever. These ingredients have been linked with the development of Reye’s syndrome, which can lead to coma, brain damage, or even death in children and teenagers who are experiencing the flu, flu-like illnesses, or chicken pox.
What you can do to prevent the Flu!
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing or sneezing. They usually spread for person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu virus on it and then touching their nose or mouth. Flu virus can be passed before visible symptoms develop.
5 easy steps to help avoid the Flu
1 Wash your hands often.
2 Stay home from work or school when you are sick.
3 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4 Cover your cough and sneezes.
5 Get vaccinated!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone older than 6 months get an annual flu shot since each year’s vaccine is created specifically for the strains of flu experts predict will be the most active in the coming year.
It’s especially important for certain vulnerable groups to get vaccinated, including children age 2 and younger, adults age 65 and older, pregnant women and anyone with certain medical conditions, including asthma or heart conditions.
Since the flu is unpredictable, a flu shot doesn’t mean you won’t get the flu – although the CDC says that it is the No. 1 way to avoid it – but even if you do get the flu after getting vaccinated, it will help cut down the length and severity of symptoms.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective, but it doesn’t guarantee you a flu-free year. The vaccine won’t protect you or your family from common colds or the more serious enterovirus—a respiratory illness that has infected children in almost two dozen states, including Idaho.
If you have any questions about whether you should get a flu shot, talk to your doctor.
Flu shots are readily available at doctors’ offices, clinics, local health departments, pharmacies and even in some workplaces. Better yet, the vast majority of health insurance plans cover the cost of your annual flu shot, so you’ll have no out-of-pocket costs.
You may not realize how big of an impact you can have just by getting a flu shot. Getting vaccinated is not just about you. It’s about protecting the ones you love and it’s also about the hundreds of people you come in contact with on a regular basis as well. The more protected you are against the flu, the more protected the public will be as well. The more people who get the flu shot, the better chance everyone in our area has of not getting sick this year.
