Flu Season 2018-19

FLU SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

Flu affects between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population each year. It usually begins in October or November, peaks in January or February and can continue through May. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu every year. It takes about two weeks for the vaccination to build the antibodies.

The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the flu season, even into January or later. Every season the influenza virus(es) changes, so it is very important to get vaccinated annually.

Traditional vaccines were trivalent vaccines which were made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. Newer, quadrivalent vaccines are vaccines that protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

Two types of influenza vaccine are widely available: inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV).

For the 2018-2019 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine (which contains live attenuated influenza virus) is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age.

AVOID VACCINATION IF YOU,

  1. Have had a bad reaction to a previous influenza vaccination,
  2. are younger than 6 months,
  3. have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or
  4. currently, have an illness with fever.

An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

Schedule your appointment for the flu vaccine with your healthcare provider or local pharmacy.

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE GENERAL EDUCATION FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE ADVICE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND SERVICE.

You Might Also Enjoy...

March Is National Kidney Month

National Kidney Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of a disease that impacts 1 in 7 Americans, with millions more at risk.

The Latest on Omicron Variant

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is on track to be the dominant strain of the virus in the United States, replacing the highly transmissible delta variant.

Covid Antiviral Drugs

Two antiviral medications to treat COVID-19 are awaiting authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).