Is the flu really that big a deal?

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide each year.  And influenza can be deadly.  In the United States, about 20,000 people die every year from influenza and influenza-related complications.  Flu season typically peaks in the winter, but can extend from the late fall to the late spring.  Flu symptoms make people feel miserable and often cause affected individuals to miss school or work.  (In fact, if you are experiencing flu symptoms, it is strongly encouraged for you to stay home from school or work, as the influenza virus is very contagious and you are likely to transmit the infection to close contacts).

Flu symptoms typically come on quickly, and usually include fever, cough or sore throat, and body aches.  Some patients may experience gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Often, patients say they feel like they have been run over by a freight train!  Symptoms and complications are often worse in people at the far ends of age (infants and the elderly) and people with chronic medical conditions, but even young and healthy people can get severe infections.   To prevent influenza and influenza-related complications, an annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone.

But I got a flu vaccine last year!  Why do I need another one?

Flu is easily spread through the air. Since we have to breathe, what can we do to prevent catching the flu?  The easiest way is to get an influenza vaccination.  Unlike many vaccines that are once-in-a-lifetime or spread out many years apart, the influenza vaccine is one that you should get every year.  Why is that?

The influenza virus is sneaky.  Multiple strains of influenza are constantly circling the globe combining and recombining in new forms in humans, swine, and birds.  Each year, several new strains make it to the United States, and because our bodies have not seen these precise flu strains before, our immunity from previous years does not protect us completely.  Some years, the new strain is similar enough to the old strain that we have some protection and the flu season is mild.  Other years (such as with the so called H5N1/Avian flu and swine flu a few years ago) the dominant strain is different enough that it causes a large number of severe cases.  A new flu vaccine is produced every year to protect against the new strains circulating around the United States.

The yearly production of flu vaccine is a marvel of modern science.

Every spring, the strains of flu that are circulating in other parts of the world are studied and the 3 or 4 most common strains are selected to create that year’s flu vaccine.  The flu vaccine is incubated in eggs and mass produced over a period of months.  The finished vaccine is most often available in the US in late September or early October.  The purpose of getting the vaccine is to stimulate your body to produce antibodies against the strains of flu that are predicted to cause the flu that year.  While your body’s immune system is making the antibodies, you may feel a little under the weather, but symptoms are not nearly as bad as a case of the flu.  You will have maximum protection about 2 weeks after getting your flu shot.  Contrary to what some people say, the flu shot cannot give you the flu, as the influenza virus components have been inactivated or weakened.

With the exception of people with serious allergic reactions to the flu vaccine and people with certain medical problems, everyone should get the flu vaccine every year.  This is by far the most effective way to avoid symptoms for yourself and protect those around us who cannot receive the vaccine.  Regardless of vaccine status, it is important to practice good hygiene.  During flu season (and year-round) it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, avoid touching your eyes and mouth, and cover your cough with the crook of your elbow (not your hands).

Flu vaccines are currently available in pharmacies and medical practices throughout Utah.  Get your vaccine today!

Drat!  I missed my flu shot and now I am sick.

What should you do if you miss your flu shot and come down with a case of the flu?  Effective treatment is available, but it MUST be started in the first two days of symptoms for it to be effective.  After the second day, it really doesn’t do much good.  Hours count and the faster treatment can be started, the better.  That is where Intermountain Connect Care can really be a great help.  Simply log in and you can be evaluated by our telemedicine healthcare providers and a prescription, if appropriate, can be called to a pharmacy close to you.  At some times of year, such as when influenza rates are low, your provider may wish for you to get an influenza test prior to deciding on treatment.  At other times of year, such as during peak flu season, testing may not be necessary.

Intermountain Connect Care is available 24/7/365 to provide medical evaluation and treatment services.  Connect to IntermountainConnectCare.org or download our mobile app for Android or iOS through your app store.