What the FLU is This?

It is still the flu season! I have been surrounded by flu for one entire month while on Urgent Care, so it is the perfect time to get this out there.

We’re about to talk about what the flu is, what the symptoms are, how it is treated, what you can do to prevent getting it as well as possible side effects of not protecting yourself against it.

First of all, the flu is NOT a bacterial infection. It is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

Side note: It is NOT the same as the common cold or the stomach flu

SYMPTOMS

Hm: These sound pretty similar to a cold, so how do you know the difference? The flu can cause a HIGH FEVER, whereas a fever from a cold is a bit rare.

The flu will also hit you SUDDENLY and HARD.

Of note, the flu often leads to serious secondary infections like pneumonia or bronchitis, especially in high-risk groups.

SYMPTOMS IN KIDS

Symptoms vary..they can be mild to severe, and can even cause death. So YES. You should get tested early, so you can be treated early.

When is FLU SEASON?

[OCTOBER – MARCH but may go well into MAY], And it PEAKS in FEBRUARY! Lucky for us, the CDC made a nice little chart, which I have attached left:

As Doctors, we focus a lot on AT RISK groups of people. Certain age groups, certain chronic medical conditions increase your risk of not only getting the flu but experiencing worse illness and even hospitalization.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Children
≥65years old
Pregnant Women
Immunocompromised (HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Chronic Steroids)
Diabetes

So even if you don’t want a flu shot to protect yourself, Get it to protect your loved ones who are at risk of worsening symptoms and even hospitalizations.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?

Respiratory droplets: Coughing, Sneezing: These can reach as far as 6 feet!
You can pass it along even one day before having a symptom, to 5-7 days after symptoms starting.
You can even get it from touching an infected surface and then touching your face, eyes, mouth.

OUTBREAKS ARE COMMON IN CERTAIN PLACES TOO:

Wherever people congregate!
Communities with a large number of ≥65 and older residents
More people = more contacts = more opportunities to encounter someone who is sick

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT?

Wash your hands! Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth after touching doors, tablets, etc.
Disinfect surfaces
Stay home when you are sick to avoid getting other people sick
Avoid contact with those who are sick
GET VACCINATED!

Now, I know that lately, the flu vaccine has not been very efficient because people who have had a shot are still getting the flu. So let’s address a very common question:

Why should I get the shot if it doesn’t even work?

Every year a new flu vaccine is created based on the “most likely to be present” strains. This means that if a different strain of the flu comes around, which is not covered in the flu shot for the season, …you can get the flu.

I hope that makes sense!

Did you guys know that there is a SUPER FLU SHOT? Ha! I know it’s not because I love superheroes because I do. It’s just a High Dose Flu, and it is about 24.2% more effective in preventing the flu in those ≥65 and older than the standard dose.

There is also a lower risk of hospital admission compared with the standard dose; Especially if those ≥65 and older live in a long-term care facility.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

Just like the standard dose, and reported more frequently with the high dose, these are mild and temporary.

Pain
Redness at the injection site
Headache
Muscle aches
Malaise

The majority of people have either minimal or no adverse effects at all.

Another common question is:

“What if I have an EGG ALLERGY?”

If your allergy = hives and itchy skin.you can get the vaccine safely.

BUT, even if you have severe swelling of lips, face, respiratory issues, recurrent vomiting, or if you’ve needed epinephrine for it in the past… YOU CAN STILL GET IT. Just make sure you’re in a clinic setting or hospital setting where you can be appropriately treated if needed.

But why do doctors like me make such a fuzz about the flu vaccine or have the flu?

Because of the POSSIBLE: COMPLICATIONS

Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Sinus infections
Ear infections

It can make a stable chronic condition WORSE

Asthma
COPD
Congestive heart failure

[To the point that you may need to be hospitalized]

TREATMENT AND BENEFITS?

Antivirals are mostly recommended for those ≥65 years old.
They shorten the duration of being sick by 1-2 days.
If you are high risk, then it can decrease the severity of the symptoms and keep you OUT of the hospital.
Antivirals work best if given WITHIN 48hours of getting sick.
And lastly, you can receive prophylactic treatment (preventive) if one of your family members has the flu, and you’ve been exposed to it.

You can, of course, stay at home and rest if you’re not in the high-risk group, hydrate, sleep, etc.

When should you GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM?

Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Dizziness or unable to wake up
Seizures
Not Urinating
Severe muscle pain
Severe weakness or unsteadiness
Fever or Cough, which got better AND then WORSENED.
Any worsening in your current medical conditions like ASTHMA, COPD, CHF

As always! I hope this stuff was useful. I know it is a lot of information.

The points to take home are:

Get the flu shot
See your doctor early.
Get treated early
Go to the Emergency Room if you get worse or can’t breathe.

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