Dear editor,
The shorter days and cooler nights of fall are a reminder that another, less pleasant season is not far off: flu season. Although it isn’t defined by exact dates, flu season can begin as early as October and last until April, generally peaking in winter. As a physician and medical director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, fall is when I remind patients it’s time to be vaccinated against the flu.
Flu -- short for influenza -- is a respiratory virus whose symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills, body aches, headache and fatigue, among other things and lasts anywhere from a few days to two weeks. Other symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can also occur, particularly in children, and for those with health issues or chronic conditions, symptoms can last longer than two weeks.
There is currently no cure for the flu, and treatments depend on the symptoms being experienced. For example, nasal decongestants are sometimes helpful for those experiencing nasal or sinus congestion. Medications can help lessen the symptoms, but because flu is a virus, antibiotics are not useful.
Most health experts believe influenza is spread through airborne droplets when a person with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks -- and those droplets are inhaled. That’s why it’s important for people who have the flu to cover their noses and mouths when they sneeze or cough. Additionally, frequent hand washing can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the flu. People with flu should also be kept out of school or stay home from work for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone.
Letter to the Editor
Although flu is common, it can also be very serious, even deadly. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu remains one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S., killing approximately 40,000 people a year, the majority of them elderly. Those over the age of 65, under the age of five, or who have chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, are most at risk for complications from flu, especially pneumonia.
One reason flu is so serious is that the virus mutates rapidly, typically from one year to the next. That is why it is very important to be vaccinated every year -- last year’s vaccine may not provide protection from the strains of flu circulating this year. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to protect yourself and your family members from getting the flu.
The CDC recommends that anyone over six months of age who is healthy should receive flu vaccination. While flu vaccines used to be available only as shots, over the past several years the vaccine has become available in a nasal spray -- which is generally more appealing to children than a needle. Additionally, other types of flu vaccine include an egg-free flu shot for those allergic to eggs (the vaccine is grown inside eggs) and high-dose flu shots, typically for those over 65 years old.
Flu vaccines are usually available starting in early fall at physician offices, pharmacies, local health departments or community flu-shot clinics. The best time to get a flu vaccination is October as it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become most effective. Remember, not all types of vaccines may be available at all locations.
Don’t wait – the time to get your flu vaccination is now.
Mark Kishel, M.D.
One reason flu is so serious is that the virus mutates rapidly, typically from one year to the next. That is why it is very important to be vaccinated every year -- last year’s vaccine may not provide protection from the strains of flu circulating this year. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to protect yourself and your family members from getting the flu.
The CDC recommends that anyone over six months of age who is healthy should receive flu vaccination. While flu vaccines used to be available only as shots, over the past several years the vaccine has become available in a nasal spray -- which is generally more appealing to children than a needle. Additionally, other types of flu vaccine include an egg-free flu shot for those allergic to eggs (the vaccine is grown inside eggs) and high-dose flu shots, typically for those over 65 years old.
Flu vaccines are usually available starting in early fall at physician offices, pharmacies, local health departments or community flu-shot clinics. The best time to get a flu vaccination is October as it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become most effective. Remember, not all types of vaccines may be available at all locations.
Don’t wait – the time to get your flu vaccination is now.
Mark Kishel, M.D.
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