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TUESDAY, Oct. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) – With the flu season imminent, US health authorities are urging all people 6 months and older to get vaccinated.
Already, an unvaccinated child in Florida has died of the flu, warned officials.
Lynnette Brammer, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said few cases have been reported so far. It is therefore too early to know if the strains will be as severe as those of last season.
"The states that reported to us have minimal influenza activity," said Brammer, head of influenza surveillance at CDC. "The viruses we're seeing are mixed in. We have H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A strains, and two influenza B strains have been detected."
The seasons of the flu are not predictable. That's why you should not forget about your annual flu shot, added another infectious disease specialist, Dr. Lisa Maragakis.
The flu season in the southern hemisphere, which has just ended, gives clues to this year's flu season, said Maragakis, senior director of infection control at Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore. .
"It's cautiously good news that the season might be less lenient than last year – so let's keep our fingers crossed," said Maragakis.
Yet even when overall activity is low, people still contract the flu, said Brammer. "And the flu can have really tragic consequences – even healthy, young people can get the flu and it can, in rare cases, cause death," she added.
Last year, 80,000 people in the United States died from the flu, a record, said Brammer. Of the deaths, 183 children, most of whom were not vaccinated.
Because last year's vaccine did not match the predominant H3N2 virus, it was modified, said Brammer.
This year's four-strain vaccine includes H1N1 and H3N2 as well as both influenza B strains. The three-strain vaccine contains only one B strain, said Brammer.
Who is most at risk?
It is essential that mothers of children under 6 months be vaccinated because their baby can not, said Brammer.
Other children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases are the most vulnerable to the complications of influenza, especially pneumonia, especially young children.
Getting vaccinated protects others. This is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your colleagues, said Brammer.
But the myths persist.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Orlando Health Orlando Orlando Palmer Hospital for Children, a third of parents with children under 18 think the vaccine will not work. And more than half think that the vaccine can catch the flu.
Both beliefs are false, said Brammer. Vaccination is the best protection, regardless of age.
You can not get the flu shot because the viruses in the vaccine are dead, she said. They trigger the production of antibodies against the flu by your immune system, but can not transmit you the flu.
Although the nasal spray vaccine uses a live virus, it has been modified so that you can not catch the flu, said Brammer. However, this vaccine is not suitable for everyone and you should consult your doctor first.
October is the best time to get vaccinated, as it takes 10 days to two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective. You will be protected by the flu season in full swing, said Maragakis.
What can you do to strengthen protection?
Wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid getting close to a sick person, said Maragakis.
If the flu strikes, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs that will shorten your time of illness, she said. These medications work best if they are taken early in the symptoms.
In addition, stay out of work so you do not infect others, said Brammer.
More information
To learn more about influenza, visit the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOURCES: Lynnette Brammer, MP, National Influenza Surveillance Team Lead, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Director, Infection Control, Johns Hopkins Health System and Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
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