By Rohit Bhalla, D.O.
Flu season is about to ramp up, and if it’s anything like past years, millions of people will suffer its effects.
But you can help protect yourself from the virus and prevent its spread by getting vaccinated now.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone over 6 months of age get a yearly flu vaccine by the end of October.
What is the flu?
Influenza – the flu – is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are many types of influenza viruses, and they are constantly changing, with the two main types being A and B. However, within the A and B types there are various subtypes. Flu vaccines protect against the three or four viruses that research and surveillance suggest will be most common in a given season.
How many people get the flu each year?
There are no exact figures for the number of people who get the flu each year, but the CDC estimates that the flu has resulted in between 9.2 million and 36.5 million illnesses annually.
The CDC also estimates that the flu has resulted in between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations, and has been associated with thousands of deaths a year.
Who’s at risk?
Everyone is at risk for the flu. However, certain people are considered high-risk, including older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or other conditions that compromise the immune system.
What are the symptoms of flu?
Symptoms of the flu typically come on suddenly and include:
- Fever (in some cases)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
Oftentimes, people with the flu report feeling like they’ve been “hit by a truck.” The flu can also cause complications, including ear and sinus infections, as well as pneumonia and other more severe health conditions.
Where can I get the vaccine?
The flu vaccine is widely available and typically offered by your doctor’s office, pharmacies, college health centers as well as by many employers. The most common form of the vaccine is the standard-dose flu shot, which is typically administered with a needle into the muscle in your arm. This season, the vaccine is available again in a nasal spray as an option for children and people who cannot tolerate needles. Older adults may receive a high-dose flu shot.
When should I get the vaccine?
Ideally, you should be vaccinated prior to the flu starting to spread in your community. The flu season typically begins in the fall and extends into spring with activity peaking between December and February. The CDC recommends getting the vaccine by the end of October, though it can still be effective if you get it later. Keep in mind, however, that it takes about two weeks for your body to fully build the antibodies to protect you from the disease.
Can I get the flu from the flu vaccine?
No. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, as the vaccine is not a live virus. However, you may experience mild symptoms after the vaccine as your body builds antibodies to guard against the virus. These symptoms typically go away within a few days.
Can I still get the flu if I get the vaccine?
There is a chance you can still get the flu even if you’ve been vaccinated, especially if you’re exposed to a strain not included in the seasonal vaccine. However, research shows that even in those instances, the vaccine may provide some protection against illness. Additionally, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the severity of illness if you do get sick.
What should I do if I think I have the flu?
If you develop signs of the flu and are concerned about your health, call your doctor.
In most instances, flu symptoms will resolve on their own with rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking acetaminophen for aches and fever. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to help lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms. These medications work best within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
What else can I do to prevent the flu?
In addition to getting a flu vaccine, the CDC offers these additional tips to help protect against the virus and prevent its spread.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance to prevent others from getting sick too.
- Stay home and rest. Not only will resting help ease your symptoms, staying home will also help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Experts believe the flu spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Those droplets can then land in the mouth or nose of another person or may be inhaled. Less often, it spreads when people touch a contaminated surface and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu, such as toys, door handles and countertops.
To find a doctor with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, call (888) 742-7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.
Rohit Bhalla, D.O., is board certified in internal medicine and infectious disease. He is the chief of infectious diseases at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.