According to the American Lung Association, one of five Americans suffer from influenza each year. Approximately 226,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized, and 36,000 die from influenza and its complications every year. Harriet Echternacht, MD, family physician with University of Iowa Family Care, Southeast Iowa City office and medical director for the UI QuickCare clinics, talks about the importance of prevention when it comes to the flu:
Is the flu just an intense cold?
No, it isn’t. Influenza causes much more severe illness than a typical cold.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Typical symptoms are extreme muscle aching, fatigue is prominent, high fever for several days, cough which can be very severe, headaches, sore throat, and a little runny nose. I guess many people think of flu as causing diarrhea illness and vomiting, and that’s a different virus or different viral illness. But some people with influenza can get an upset stomach, particularly in children, and it can lead to dehydration and pneumonia. It’s very serious.
Who is at risk to get the flu?
- The very young
- The very old
- People who are immunocompromised
- People who have chronic illness
- People with asthma or smokers
- People who live in nursing homes or in group homes
But anybody can get the flu.
Why do flu shots only protect people for a short time?
The influenza strains vary and change over time. The shots we’re given or the exposures we have are an immune response to specific strains of influenza.
If the influenza virus changes every year, how can a shot or flu mist prevent the flu?
Each year the vaccine is tailored or changed to try to include the strains that are emerging from different parts of the world. These are, most of the time, accurate and once the virus reaches the United States, hopefully the population is vaccinated and immune.
Who should get the flu shot?
I think everybody should get the flu shot, particularly those that have chronic illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends everyone from six months through age 18 get vaccinated. Other organizations recommend everyone over age 50. Definitely, if there is an infant in the home who can’t be vaccinated because he’s too young, everyone in the home should be vaccinated unless there’s a contraindication, such as an egg allergy.
Is it too late to get the flu shot for this year?
No, influenza vaccine can be given throughout the season. We have lots of vaccine. I called the State Hygienic Lab this week and they reported there aren’t any true influenza strains yet in Iowa. There are some strains noted in some surrounding states. The Centers for Disease Control have a Web site that tracks this. It’s interesting to see where all these influenza outbreaks are occurring each week.
For those that cannot get a flu shot, is the flu mist an option?
It is. It’s a nasal spray and it is a weakened, a tenuated live virus, and a healthy person shouldn’t get the influenza disease from it. People should be healthy and between the ages of 2 and 50. It’s a little more expensive than the flu shot and not all insurance companies cover it. But it is an option and it might be easier for some folks than the shot.
If a child or adult receives the flu mist, are they okay to return to work or the classroom the next day?
Yes.
What is your best advice to everyone considering getting the flu shot or mist this season?
I advise that they get it and think about the people around them. It’s possible to be contagious for at least a day before folks even get symptoms. So it’s very important to protect our community and remember that it is not a typical cold. It can cause pneumonia and death. We don’t know how severe each year will be. |
