Every year in the United States, 5 percent to 20 percent of the population will get the flu. During an average year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications and more than 36,000 of those will die. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
How is the flu spread?
Adults may be contagious to others one day before getting the symptoms and up to five days after symptoms start. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for 10 or more days after the symptoms begin.
Flu symptoms
The flu can include fever, muscle aches, headache, dry cough, sore throat and runny nose. Symptoms can last two or more weeks. Complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
Take precautions
The influenza vaccine - the flu shot - is the most effective method of protection. Other precautions include using frequent and appropriate hand hygiene, which means washing your hands with hot, soapy water or using a hand sanitizer; and respiratory and cough etiquette, which includes covering your coughs and sneezes with tissues and throwing them away right after use, then washing or sanitizing your hands.
Use of anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu can be a strategy for preventing the flu and related complications. Treatment with anti-virals should begin within 48 hours of the first symptoms, and may reduce your symptoms and shorten the time you are sick. The cost for a flu shot is around $18. The cost of Tamiflu is more than $100. Some flu viruses are becoming resistant to these medications, making vaccination the most effective and the least expensive option.
New this year
The CDC recommends that all children ages 6 months up to 19 years old receive the flu vaccine. Each year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications. Last year, the CDC reported 86 children died from flu-related complications.
The flu vaccine is not approved for use in infants younger than 6 months old; however, the risk of flu complications is highest for this age group. The best way to protect infants younger than 6 months is to make sure members of their household and their caregivers are vaccinated. The flu shot is safe and recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at increased risk of hospitalization from flu complications.
Children up to 9 years old who are getting the flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. If your child needs two doses, begin the process early, so he or she is protected before the flu starts circulating in the community. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.
What if I hate shots?
An alternative to vaccination with an injection is the nasal spray flu vaccine - a vaccine made with live, weakened flu virus that does not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for live attenuated influenza vaccine). The spray vaccine is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Make time to take the recommended preventive health measures, including flu vaccinations. Practice good health habits to help protect you and your family this flu season. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/flu.
Tammy Powers is a registered nurse and infectious disease coordinator at St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.
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