The 2017-2018 flu season was the deadliest season in over 40 years. Last year, Anne Schuchat, the acting director of the CDC stated that “hospitalizations from the flu are now the highest that we’ve seen in nearly a decade”.
By the end of the 2017-2018 flu season, there were 183 pediatric deaths associated with the flu and approximately 80% of those deaths occurred in children who did not received the flu vaccination. Last year’s flu season was categorized as a high severity season.
The best way to combat the flu is to be knowledgeable about the facts.
Influenza activity begins in the fall and can last until May. The CDC recommends to get vaccinated by the end of October as the flu vaccine can take approximately 2 weeks to become effective and help protect you from contracting the flu. The best treatment for the flu is prevention.
Vaccination is one of the most important ways we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age or older should receive the flu shot.
Even if someone has already been sick with the flu it is possible to get the flu again in the same season; therefore, it is recommended that previously sick individuals receive the flu vaccine once they have recovered.
What is the flu?
A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can infect the nose and throat primarily, but can sometimes infect the lungs. It can cause severe illness that may even lead to death, particularly in those with compromised immune systems.
What are the symptoms?
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, but often will have a combination of symptoms.
How does it spread?
The influenza viruses are spread by respiratory droplets that are spread when infected individuals sneeze, cough, or talk. It is possible to get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it. Of note, people are most contagious approximately 3-4 days before their symptoms present.
Who is at risk?
Any healthy person can contract the flu, but high risk populations tend to get a more serious form of the disease and havemore complications from it.
High risk populations include:
Adults > 65 years of age
Children < 5 years of age
Individuals of any age with compromised immune systems, such as those with chronic illness like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
Walk in to ExpressDocs today and receive a flu shot at YOUR convenience for YOUR protection!
For more information about the 2018-2019 influenza season, check out the CDC’s website.