“Flu Season Survival: What You Can Do to Stay Healthy”

The flu is here, along with the holidays.

More Americans are contracting seasonal influenza and seeking medical attention, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As stated by Dr. Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, a medical epidemiologist in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Division, “It is definitely the season,” in an interview with USA TODAY.

Getting vaccinated is an important step, he said, if people haven’t already. Although it takes a few weeks for full protection to start working, it can help avoid serious sickness.

“They will get protected from flu if they get it soon, as the flu season has weeks to go,” he instructed me.
Last year, 470,000 people were hospitalized and 28,000 people died from the flu.
The flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses flourish during the colder winter months when people spend more time indoors.

Here are some facts on the current flu outbreak locations and self-defense measures.

Where is the flu going?

The two most prevalent seasonal flu viruses are influenza A and influenza B.

Type B influenza viruses circulate a little later in the winter, and type A influenza viruses generally start a bit earlier in the season. CDC reports indicate that the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses are now circulating in several southern and western states.
In addition to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus, wastewater monitoring, a technique for detecting infections from municipal treatment facilities, also indicates that large quantities of influenza A are present across the United States. Transmission of influenza B is now low.

Annual flu shots are based on recommendations from a government advisory council that examines last year’s viruses that caused illness, how viruses have evolved, and disease trends says the Food and Drug Administration.

According to Dr. Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, vaccines “seem to be highly effective” primarily against “presently circulating viruses, although earlier in the vaccination season, the vaccine isn’t,”
According to CDC’s Azziz-Baumgartner, vaccination rates are still far lower than they were in previous years. Only roughly half of Americans got their yearly flu shot last year.

Who is at risk for a severe illness?

When someone has the flu, they may be experiencing a very mild illness that is gone in just a few days or they may be developing a serious illness that requires hospitalization. For example, former President Bill Clinton, who is 78 years old, was admitted to the hospital on Monday night to receive treatment for the flu.

The main mode of transmission is through droplets emitted in coughs, sneezes, or talk but, in contrast to COVID-19 virus, droplets from people can spread the disease through touching of the mouth, nose, or eyes after coming in contact with surfaces where they have deposited.
Severe flu-related illnesses are more likely to happen to older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.

Is it flu, a cold, or something else?

Flu symptoms can vary, but they often include:

• fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches or muscles, exhaustion or weariness, headaches, vomiting, or diarrhea, although these symptoms are more common in children.
• When it is the case of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses like the common cold, then it is challenging to decide what might be causing the cough, sneeze, and possibly fever. There are, however some signs.
• The Mayo Clinic notes that COVID-19 symptoms might be delayed compared to the onset of symptoms for a cold or the flu. A fever is rare; a cold does not bring on fatigue or muscle aches.

A headache is prevalent with the flu and COVID-19, although it is uncommon with a cold. Compared to the flu, COVID-19 patients are more likely to have dry coughs.

How can I protect myself?

Everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu, according to CDC’s Azziz-Baumgartner. People should also stop germs from spreading.

This includes coughing and sneezing, covering your mouth, nose, and eyes, and often washing your hands with soap and water, according to the CDC. Similar to other respiratory viruses, people should stay away from sick persons. If you are ill, stay at home until your temperature drops and your symptoms improve.

Doctor-prescribed antiviral medications can treat the flu, but not colds, and separate medications are required for COVID-19. Taking these a few days after the onset of symptoms yields the best results.