By Sue Danielson, health services
Flu Season is Here
Flu season is in full swing in the U.S. Most of the circulating flu viruses this season are different from the virus strains in the vaccine. This may reduce how well the vaccine works in protecting against those “drifted” viruses. Most of the H3N2 viruses circulating are “drifted” or different from the H3N2 virus in the current vaccine; suggesting that the vaccine’s ability to protect against those viruses may be reduced. Two factors play an important role in determining the likelihood that flu vaccines will protect a person from flu illness, the characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health), and the similarity or “match” between the flu viruses in the vaccine and those spreading in the community.
Influenza A (H3N2) viruses are most common so far. H3N2-predominant seasons have been associated with more severe illness and mortality, especially in older people and young children. There are early indications that this season may be severe, especially for people aged 65 years and older and young children.
Flu spreads every year, the timing, severity, and length of the season usually varies from one season to another. As of late December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that all national key flu indicators are elevated and more than half of the country is experiencing high flu activity. Flu activity is expected to continue into the coming weeks, with increases occurring especially in those states that have not yet had significant activity. Click here for flu activity updates.
The CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination even when there are drifted viruses circulating because the vaccine can still prevent infection and also prevent serious flu-related complications in many people. Anyone who has not gotten vaccinated yet this season should do so now. This includes people who may already have gotten the flu this season because flu vaccines protect against three or four different viruses and it’s possible that other viruses will circulate later in the season. It’s fairly common for there to be two waves of flu activity during a season, the second wave is often caused by an influenza B virus.
The CDC also recommends flu antiviral drugs for treatment of influenza illness in people who are very sick with flu or people with the flu who are at high risk of serious flu complications. Influenza antiviral drugs are a second line of defense against the flu to treat flu illness. These prescription drugs work best when started soon after influenza symptoms begin (within two days), but persons with high-risk conditions can benefit even when antiviral treatment is started after the first two days of illness. People at high risk from flu should see a doctor if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Health services still has a few doses of vaccine available, otherwise contact your physician or a local clinic. For more information, contact 796-3806 or scdanielson@viterbo.edu. (Information obtained from the CDC).