Infections and hospitalizations persist into late winter – there’s still time to benefit from the protection of a safe and effective flu vaccine!
National news headlines are using phrases like “worst flu season in decades” and “everyone is sick this winter.” When it comes to avoiding days and weeks of aches, fever, chills and general misery, a flu vaccine and common-sense precautions will go a long way towards avoiding illness.
“Positive lab reports, reported hospitalizations, outpatient illness, mortality and pediatric deaths related to flu infection have contributed to the CDC describing this flu season as ‘high severity’ – the first time it has done so since the 2009-10 flu season,” explained Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Eventually, warmer weather will bring an end to flu season. For people ages 6 months and older, getting the seasonal flu vaccine now will still give a protective benefit against infection and severe illness. We have at least a few months of flu illness to navigate. Erie County’s flu season can extend into April or May.”
People ages 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children and pregnant women are most in jeopardy of developing serious complications from flu infection, which could require hospitalization and result in death.
“Flu cases continue to rise, but it’s not too late to protect your family, loved ones, and neighbors,” offered Steven Turkovich, MD, President at Oishei Children’s Hospital. “Getting the flu vaccine now can still reduce illness severity and prevent hospitalizations. We also urge everyone to help prevent the spread of illness by staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, wearing a mask when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes. Together, we can keep our community healthy.”
Flu vaccine is widely available at pharmacies, health clinics and physicians' offices across the state. A vaccine can help to reduce serious symptoms and avoid a hospital stay. Most health insurance plans will cover all or most of the cost of vaccines for eligible patients. See vaccines.gov for locations or ask your doctor.
Anti-viral Treatment for Flu Illness
Doctors can prescribe oral (taken by mouth) anti-viral treatments for patients with confirmed flu, but they must start taking the medication very soon after the start of symptoms. Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is available for people two weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for no more than two days. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions should contact their doctor’s office or go to urgent care as soon as symptoms (aches, fever, coughing) start.
COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and whooping cough (pertussis) round out the serious, and preventable, respiratory illnesses that continue to circulate. To prevent respiratory disease transmission, get vaccinated if eligible and:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands; cough or sneeze into your elbow if a tissue is not available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Erie County, Respiratory illnesses take hold in the new year: https://www3.erie.gov/health/press/respiratory-illnesses-take-hold-new-year
ECDOH, Flu: http://www.erie.gov/flu
NYSDOH, Influenza: https://health.ny.gov/flu
Find COVID-19 and Flu vaccine locations: vaccines.gov
American Academy of Pediatrics, Flu:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/flu/Pages/default.aspx
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