Getting a flu shot is an important preventative measure.
As the fall season gets under way, our thoughts turn to the kids returning to school, cooler weather, football season and … flu prevention! As an infectious disease specialist, a mother and wife, when September rolls around I believe it is imperative that we educate ourselves about how to best protect our families from influenza. Since the recognition of the novel H1N1 Influenza A in April of this year (aka the Swine flu), much more attention has been paid to this health risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global pandemic in June 2009 signaling that this virus had spread to multiple parts of the world. The H1N1 flu, added to the regular seasonal flu, has the potential to cause significant illness during this influenza season. This year, the actual timing of the flu season is uncertain. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the past seasonal flu reached its peak activity in January and February but occurred into May. The H1N1 this year caused illness into the summer months, which was most uncommon.
While there are many viral illnesses, I am specifically talking about Influenza A and B, with H1N1 being just one strain of Influenza A. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that seasonal influenza is responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations annually during flu epidemics. On average, between 5% to 20% of the population in the U.S. gets the flu. While many may get sick, lose time from work and feel lousy, most healthy adults are usually not at risk for serious complications. Those at risk for complications of seasonal flu include the young, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain underlying health conditions. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, emphysema, or on medications that suppress the immune system can have complications regardless of age. Interestingly, according to the CDC, the elderly seemed to have been spared from the novel H1N1!
The symptoms of seasonal influenza and H1N1 can vary from mild to severe and can be quite similar. Fever (100 degrees or higher), body aches, muscle aches, loss of energy, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are among the more common complaints. Severe disease leading to bacterial infections, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and even death are possible. For that reason, preventing the flu must be a priority.
While there is no 100% way to prevent any illness, there are three important steps recommended by the CDC that can be taken to fight the flu.
1) Vaccinate! The yearly flu shot is the most important flu prevention measure. It stimulates the immune system against the 3 strains predicted to have the highest probability for causing flu illness in the coming season. This is not the panacea for all viral illnesses. It has to be made up BEFORE the flu season hits. Since novel H1N1 hit in April, they have been making a new vaccine specifically for this strain and it is in trials now. By preliminary reports, it appears safe and should be available some time in October. Discuss this important topic with your health care provider!
2) Take everyday preventive actions or respiratory hygiene. These are common sense tactics to stop the spread of the germs.
• When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the elbow area. This can be taught easily to kids and can be made to be fun. Teach them to pretend they are vampires, like the Count on Sesame Street. With their arm bent across their faces, have them pretend to cough or sneeze.
• Hands need to be washed with soap and water frequently. When soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizers should be used.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Try not to touch your mouth, nose and eyes as viruses are easily spread this way.
• To prevent spreading the flu to others, sick people need to stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours. It is essential for schools, businesses, and other social settings to endorse this without penalties. Coming to work or school ill should not earn extra points. Specific recommendations for business, schools and health care settings are available at CDC flu website.
3) Antiviral Medications: Your physician may prescribe these to prevent serious flu complications or shorten the course of the illness, especially in the high-risk patients. These work best if started within 2 days of symptoms. These are not antibiotics but special antiviral medications used specifically for influenza.
It goes without saying that good nutrition, adequate rest, staying hydrated and maintaining good overall healthy lifestyle plays a significant role in preventing infection. Please discuss the flu and its prevention with your physician.
Dr. Patrice Marcarelli is a board certified Internist with a subspecialty in Infectious Diseases as well as a Certified Wound Care Specialist. Dr. Marcarelli graduated with her bachelors degree in Biology at Loma Linda University and her medical degree from Universidad Autonoma in Guadalajara. She completed her Internal Medicine residency and Infectious Disease fellowship at the Long Beach, California Veterans Hospital and University of California, Irvine. She has been in private practice for 22 years in the Los Angeles area. Her outpatient practice, Wound Management Institute, is devoted to healing chronic wounds, bringing relief to patients with non-healing sores. In addition, she is her hospital’s epidemiologist and Chair of Infection Control, working to improve patient care and safety. Dr. Marcarelli advocates prevention and patient participation to assure good health and outcomes.
