Flu Season is Coming

Flu Map

Richmond Weather

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by Kimberly Richards, Pharm.D., R.Ph.
Pattie A Clay Regional Medical Center Pharmacy Director

As winter fast approaches, another season is on the horizon—Flu Season.  Influenza or “flu” is an infection of the respiratory tract that can affect millions of people every year.  It is highly contagious and occurs mainly in the late fall, winter, or early spring.  Influenza is spread from person-to-person through respiratory secretions from coughing and sneezing of people who are already carrying the virus.  Influenza is an illness that is different from the common cold.  Influenza is usually much more severe and, depending on the severity, can lead to loss of school and work, and complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and even death.  Common symptoms of the virus include sudden fever, shaking chills, moderate or severe muscle and joint aches and pains, sweating, a dry cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and headache lasting up to 1-2 weeks.  In addition, people infected with influenza often complain of moderate or severe malaise and fatigue. 

The best way to protect yourself from influenza is to receive an annual immunization.  The vaccine is an inactivated (killed) viral vaccine.  This means that people cannot get the flu from receiving the vaccine because it is not a live form of the virus.  If someone gets the flu after receiving the vaccine, they were likely already exposed to the virus or they may have a cold.  Also, no vaccine is 100% protective.  In fact there are several strains of influenza viruses that break out every year, too many to cover with one vaccine.  So each year the vaccine manufacturers typically use 3 strains, which were identified through global surveillance, to be likely to circulate in the coming year.  When the match is a good one, the vaccine can prevent symptoms of influenza in 70% to 90% of healthy young adults.  This is less in elderly people because of lower immune systems.

Who should get the vaccine?  It is recommended in all persons aged 65 and older, residents of long term care facilities, persons with chronic heart and lung disease or an immunologic disorder such as cancer, health care workers and anyone wishing to protect themselves against influenza.  There have been years where the vaccine has been in short supply and it has been offered first to those with a greater need such as an elderly patient with asthma.  However, this year all reports show that there is a surplus of the vaccine and anyone wanting the vaccine will be able to receive it. 

Since influenza activity in the U.S. usually peaks in the winter, most vaccination programs are conducted around October through November but you can receive it anytime during the season.  The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness at the injection site that can last up to a couple of days.  Individuals who should not receive the vaccine include anyone having allergies to chicken eggs because manufacturers grow the vaccine in these eggs for harvesting, anyone with a previous serious reaction to an influenza shot or if you have a current illness with fever.

Influenza affects all age groups.  Each year about 20,000 Americans, mainly elderly, die because of influenza or influenza related pneumonia.  Over 90% of the deaths occur in persons aged 65 years and older.  In fact, pneumonia and influenza together are the 6^th most common cause of death in the United States.  Influenza is also responsible for millions of lost work days per year. So the question is “Why not get the flu vaccine?”.

11/03

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