Written by Shea Dockan and Edited by Sorina Long
In the United States, flu season begins in October, and can last as late as May the following year [1]. The flu, or influenza, is a virus that is usually spread through the air from talking, coughing, or sneezing [2]. If the flu is contracted, the person who is ill should stay home to avoid spreading the virus. Individuals with the flu often have the following common symptoms: fever, achy muscles, chills, sweats, headache, cough, and nasal congestion [3]. Some groups of people have greater risks for complications because their immune systems are compromised or weakened– leaving them more susceptible to getting sick. These groups include newborns, individuals over the age of 65, those who have asthma, pregnant women, and/or individuals with chronic medical conditions [4]. The flu can be especially dangerous since it can be spread quickly and unknowingly– an infected individual can spread the flu before even being aware that they are sick [2].
Another reason the flu virus is so dangerous is that it changes through a process known as “antigenic drift”. Antigenic drifts occur when the genetic makeup of the influenza virus mutates, which then leads to changes in the surface proteins [5]. This is the mechanism by which the virus changes constantly and the reason why it is so important to get a flu shot every year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has several educational articles on the flu including: “Key Facts About Influenza,” “Flu Season,” and “How Flu Spreads” [1]. One article states that the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting the flu by 40-60% . However, it is important to note that the flu vaccine may not always work because the vaccinations do not always directly match the flu virus going around that year [6]. A person’s age and health can also determine the efficacy of the vaccine because people who are older than 65 have weaker immune systems [7]. In the same vein, people who have pre-existing health conditions are also more likely to have flu complications since their weakened immune systems can not as efficiently combat the virus [4].
It is important to be conscientious of others by getting the flu shot and by staying home when ill with the flu. Unfortunately, children under 6 months as well as individuals with severe allergies to any ingredient in the vaccine can not get the flu vaccine [8]. Since the flu can be deadly, it is important to be mindful of these populations when ill with a viral infection. The flu’s death toll varies from year to year, but the CDC website updates this information every week during flu season. For the 2017-2018 flu season, there were approximately 79,400 deaths related to influenza, which is the highest mortality count since 2009 [9]. Although it is possible that this year’s influenza season may not be as fatal as that of 2017-2018, it is impossible to know how each individual will be affected. Therefore, it is essential to take precautionary measures and receive your flu shot if able.
References:
- “The Flu Season.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm. Accessed 10. Dec. 2019.
- “How Flu Spreads.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm. Accessed 25. Nov. 2019.
- Tosh, Pritish K. “Flu Symptoms: Should I See My Doctor?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 2019,https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/expert-answers/flu-symptoms/faq-20057983. Accessed 25. Nov. 2019.
- “People at High Risk for Flu Complications.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm.Accessed 10. Dec. 2019.
- “How the Flu Virus Can Change: “Drift” and “Shift”.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm .Accessed 10. Dec. 2019.
- “Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well do the Flu Vaccines Work?.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm.Accessed 30. Nov. 2019.
- “People 65 Years and Older & Influenza.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm. Accessed 1.Dec.2019.
- “Who Should and Should NOT get a Flu Vaccine.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm. Accessed 12.Dec.2019.
- Rolfes, M. A. Flannery, B. Chung, J. R. O’Halloran, A. Garg, S. Belongia, E. A. Gaglani, M. Zimmerman, R. K. Jackson, M. L. Monto, A. S. Alden, N. B., Anderson, E., Bennett, N. M., Billing, L., Eckel, S., Kirley, P. D., Lynfield, R., Monroe. M. L., Spencer, M, Spina, N., Talbot, H. K., Thomas, A., Torres, S. M., Yousey-Hindes, K. Singleton, J. A., Patel, M., Reed, C., Fry, A. M.(2019). Effects of Influenza Vaccination in the United States During the 2019-2018 Influenza Season. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 69:1845–1853.