Every fall and winter, health care professionals remind people to get the flu shot and take basic precautions. But this season it’s even more important, as flu rates are unusually high.
For example, in late December, the New York State Department of Health reported the highest number of flu cases in a single week since these records were kept, beginning in 2004. The flu season typically peaks in December, January, and February.
In this Q&A, Jennifer Duchon, MD, MPH, DrPH, explains why flu rates are high now, and what you should do about it, especially to protect those most vulnerable people, including children under age 5, pregnant persons, adults over age 65, and those with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems. Dr. Duchon is Hospital Epidemiologist and Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Jennifer Duchon, MD, MPH, DrPH
What symptoms should I look out for?
Common flu symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough and sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Symptoms tend to come on more suddenly than other viruses like the common cold, and can linger, especially the cough. Symptoms to worry about are trouble breathing or very fast breathing, persistent chest pain, inability to drink or keep down liquids, confusion, or if a fever or symptoms improve and then suddenly worsen.
Why are more people getting sick with the flu right now?
Flu cases are more widespread this season for a couple of important reasons. Each year, the influenza vaccine is developed in advance of the season, using surveillance data and modeling to predict how influenza strains will change and which strains will circulate. This year, after the vaccine was produced, one of the influenza strains developed changes in some of the viral proteins. These changes in the virus’s proteins mean that one strain of flu that is circulating this year is not as well matched to the vaccine as we would like, making the vaccine less effective in preventing the flu.
What are other factors?
Overall, skepticism about vaccines has increased, resulting in fewer people being vaccinated against the flu. When fewer people are immunized, influenza spreads more easily within communities. Together, these factors contribute not only to a higher number of flu cases, but also to a greater risk of more severe illness, particularly in young children, older adults, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Why is it important to get the flu shot?
Even though the flu vaccine is not a perfect match to the most common strain circulating this year, vaccination is still strongly recommended. This year’s flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of the most serious complications of influenza, including hospitalization, pneumonia, and death—especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant persons, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or heart disease. Children cannot be vaccinated against the flu until they are six months old, so it’s important that the whole household (and caregivers) get vaccinated to protect the most vulnerable members of the family.
What should you do if your family gets the flu?
If someone in your family develops flu symptoms, focus on the basics:
- Rest and good hydration are essential.
- Fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®) can help with aches and fever when used as directed.
- Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu® and Xofluza® can be prescribed by a health care provider. When started early, these medicines can shorten the duration of illness and reduce the risk of severe complications.
It is also important to limit the spread of the virus. Anyone who is sick should wear a mask. They should stay home from school, work, and activities, at least until symptoms are improving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications for more than one day. Within the household, practicing good cough etiquette, frequent handwashing, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces can help protect other family members. Most people can recuperate from the flu on their own. If symptoms are severe, worsening, or if the person is at higher risk for complications, you should contact your doctor.