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<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "But – sorry to be the bearer of bad news – you can not do that, the only way to get through flu season unscathed, it is to be vaccinated against the flu. (You do not want to be part of the hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized every year because of the flu, is not it?) Although the effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year another, a CDC 2018 Study found that the vaccine against influenza The risks of admission to adults in the intensive care unit have been reduced by 82%, which is a big problem. data-reactid = "23"> But, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, you can not do it. The only way to live free of the flu is to get a flu shot (you do not want to be part of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are hospitalized every year because of the flu, do not want to be part of the flu! is not it right). The vaccine varies from one year to the next. A CDC study in 2018 found that influenza vaccine reduced the risk of admitting adults to ICU by 82%, which is a very big problem.
However, here's the thing: to know when to get the flu shot (and, you know, being protected from the flu), you need to know when the flu season is, how long it lasts and when it's important. the influenza vaccine is even available. Here, infectious disease experts determine what you need to know about the flu to better protect you.
Ok, so when is the flu season?
Technically, you can catch the flu all year round. This is when the flu begins to manifest that one speaks technically of the influenza season. The CDC generally sets these standards by monitoring key influenza activities (such as outpatient visits, laboratory tests, and hospitalization and death reports). When these numbers remain high for a few consecutive weeks, we are talking about influenza season.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" Most of the time, influenza infections start to increase in October and November and can last until May " Alan Taege, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic tells Health. Later, influenza activity tends to increase even more, usually between December and January and up to March, but "it is impossible to predict with precision when influenza activity will resume." and will decrease, "says Dr. Taege. "Data-reactid =" 27 ">" Most of the time, influenza infections start to increase in October and November and can last until May, "said Alan Taege, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Health. Later, influenza activity tends to increase even more, usually between December and January and until March, but "it is impossible to predict with precision when it will begin to dissipate," says Dr. Taege.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "RELATED, RELATED, RELATED: How long does the influenza vaccine last?"data-reactid =" 28 ">RELATED: How long does the influenza vaccine last?
Why does the flu sting in the coldest months?
Of course, all of this is relative (the winter months in California are drastically different from those in New York), but in general, the flu likes winter conditions a bit more. "The flu is a contagious respiratory disease and the flu virus is living longer in cooler, drier air," said Dr. Taege.
<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "People are also much more likely to come together at Inside during the winter months (hello, more school and less vacations) – and close contact can contribute to the spread of the virus, says Dr. Taege, but the proximity of other times of the year can also increase the risk of flu, such as when many people gather cruise ships for the holidays, Richard R. Clark, MD, FAAFP, Family Physician at Northwestern Medicine's Grayslake Ambulatory Care Center, Declares Health. "data-reactid =" 31 "> It is also much more likely that people gather indoors during the winter months (hello, over school and less vacations) and that Close contact can contribute to the spread of the virus, says Dr. Taege.But close quarters for other parts of the year can also increase the risk of influenza, such as when many people gather on Cruise ships for a vacation, says Richard R. Clark, MD, FAAFP, family physician at the Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Center in Grayslake. Health.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "RELATED, RELATED, RELATED: Can you catch the flu and a cold at the same time?"data-reactid =" 32 ">RELATED: Can you catch the flu and a cold at the same time?
When should I get the flu shot – and how long will it last?
<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Every year, the flu shot becomes early end of Augustalthough mid-September is more common. "The intention is to start distributing the vaccine before the start of the flu season, and we start as soon as we have the vaccine to vaccinate as much [people] as much as possible, "says Dr. Clark. data-reactid = "34"> Each year, the influenza vaccine is available by the end of August, although mid-September is more common. "The intention is to start distributing the vaccine before the start of the flu season, and we start as soon as we have the vaccine to vaccinate as much [people] possible, "says Dr. Clark.
The CDC itself has very good recommendations as to when to get the flu shot: ideally, everyone, six months old or older, should get the vaccine by the end of October to get the flu shot. maximum protection during the influenza season. It's earlier than just when the flu season starts (again, usually in November) because it takes a while for the flu shot to go off. Influenza virus infection to develop in the body, "says Dr. Taege.
Nevertheless, if you simply did not have the chance to get the flu shot and suddenly find yourself without flu protection in January, this is not an excuse for not doing yourself vaccinate against the flu that year. According to the CDC, it is always beneficial to be vaccinated later in the year, in January and beyond, as you can technically catch the virus all year round.
<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The bad news? The flu shot will not In general, "the influenza vaccine is more effective in the first three months, [but] people are still protected after six months, " Vanessa Raabe, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist at NYU Langone Health, already said Health. "data-reactid =" 37 "> The bad news? The influenza vaccine will not last you for a whole year. In general," the flu vaccine is more effective in the first three months, [but] people are still protected after six months, "said Vanessa Raabe, MD, a specialist in infectious diseases in children at NYU Langone Health. Health.
In addition, your one-year flu shot will not protect you (unfortunately). In fact, each year, influenza vaccines are developed in response to prevalent strains for this year (usually a mixture of three different strains, as well as some of the strains from the previous year and new strains anticipated), by the CDC. . Basically, every year the flu vaccine cocktail is different and therefore does not provide the same level of protection.
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